Recognizing that vaccines are the best and safest defense against the still spreading COVID-19 virus, Chief and Council for the Lower Nicola Band have adopted a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for all LNIB employees, contractors, and individuals employed or contracted to provide service in any capacity to LNIB.
This policy requires that employees and those providing service will be required to provide proof that they are at least partially vaccinated (one dose) or have obtained an approved exemption by November 20, 2021 in order to work or provide service at any of LNIB’s worksite, facilities, offices or residences. Proof of full vaccination (two doses) will be required by December 20, 2021 or employees will face unpaid leave of absence until COVID-19 pandemic has sufficiently abated.
Chief and Council recognize the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and that this is an acute respiratory illness where transmissions can occur amongst asymptomatic carriers. The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is elevated amongst the elderly, those with underlying medical conditions, and unvaccinated individuals. The Lower Nicola Indian Band’s location central to urban centres north, east and south with frequent traffic in the area adds additional pressures to keeping the virus from spreading in the community.
Kwukwpi? (Chief) Stu Jackson: “The Lower Nicola Indian Band is committed to providing a safe working environment for our employees and members of the public with whom we interact regularly. The purpose of the Vaccination Policy is to provide guidelines pertaining to the expectations and requirements of staff with respect to COVID-19 and vaccination. In our day-to-day operations, we have a responsibility to protect all workers and the community in which we operate, and it is critical that the LNIB and its staff take precautions to protect against COVID-19. We cannot control the virus or the world at large, but certainly take steps as an organization and government to protect our community to the best of our ability. Individually we can each take responsibility and action by following COVID safety protocols and getting immunized.”
