Manitoba schools requiring staff, students and visitors to be vaccinated as the Fall term approaches.
By Maryam Razzaq
Manitoba’s largest universities alongside several other post-secondary schools require students and staff to be prove that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be able to be on university and school premises.
On Thursday morning, the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, Canadian Mennonite University, Red River College and University College in the North all delivered releases about their vaccine requirements for the plan for staff and students to return.
Brandon University has been strongly encouraging their students and staff to be vaccinated before the Fall term but has yet to release a formal requirement for individuals to be fully immunized to access the premises. In the release, they shared their the possibility to issue a statement around possible vaccine requirements in the next few weeks.
In Brandon, the Assiniboine Community College is looking into implementing a general policy that will require contractors, students, staff, and visitors on campus to be fully vaccinated, but this policy must be approved by the board of governors.
In Otterburne, Manitoba – Theological Seminary and Providence University College announced on their website that they highly encourage students and staff to be fully vaccinated, but requirements are yet to be implemented.
Exceptions
There have been some exceptions announced in the case that students and staff are unable get vaccinated.
The University of Manitoba will accommodate individuals who are unable to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on medical grounds and “will work with individuals who request accommodation on other grounds.”
The University of Winnipeg requires who are unable to be vaccinated to provide sufficient “medical verification” for access to campus. All other who refuse to be vaccinated without a valid reason will be required to work remotely or often show proof of negative COVID-19 tests.
Red River College included in their statement release that it will respect religious, creed-based on religious exemptions for those unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Appropriate documentation will need to be submitted.
Details surrounding the operationalization of the vaccine protocol needs further consultation and planning and more information will be released accordingly.
Deadlines for individuals to be fully immunized against COVID-19
Many of the schools in Manitoba that announced vaccine requirements included deadlines for those who have yet to be vaccinated.
“Individuals aged 12 and over are required to have their first dose by September 22, 2021 and their second dose by the end of October 2021,” said the University of Manitoba.
The University of Winnipeg will continue to be closed to the public in the Fall term and only authorized staff and students will be allowed to enter the premises after showing their proof of vaccination.
Canadian Mennonite University has asked all staff and students to receive their first dose by August 31 and their second dose by September 30.
Red River College will be requiring all staff and students to receive their first dose by September 10 and their second dose by October 17.
At the University College in Northern Manitoba, students, staff, and visitors will need to be fully vaccinated by November 1.
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