Plympton-Wyoming staff have until Oct. 22 to decide if they’ll be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo twice weekly testing.

Council approved a vaccination policy Sept. 29 for its employees, according to CAO Carolyn Tripp.

“Basically, anyone that’s doing anything for the town, you know, it’s either have vaccinations, or they have to have a COVID test so that we know they’re safe,” she says.

Tripp says staff will be able to use rapid tests given to the municipality by Emergency Management Ontario until the supply runs out. After that, they’ll have to purchase their own.

Council also immediately approved a vaccine policy for councillors the same night. “It was their decision to be honest with you, they wanted to. What they’re going to require for the staff they wanted to require of themselves.”

Councillors can also declare their vaccine status by Oct. 22. If they don’t wish to be vaccinated but want to attend in-person council meetings, they’ll have to have a rapid antigen test beforehand.

They can also attend via an electronic link.