Trinity United Church North Bay
COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccine Policy
October 1, 2021
Trinity United Church is committed to providing all members of the Trinity community with a healthy and safe environment and to fulfilling its responsibility to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the surrounding community. To this end, as of November 1, 2021, we are implementing a Proof of Vaccination Policy in accordance with the requirements outlined by the Province of Ontario, conscious of the fact that we are currently exceeding our legal requirement and following the recommendation of North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit which encourages businesses to create their own vaccine policies.
Application
This policy applies to all staff, volunteers and user groups participating in any group activities or meetings within the church effective November 1 2021.
Exempted Activities
Activities that will be excluded from this policy include;
- Worship in the sanctuary (including funerals and weddings)
- Food Shelf and Infant Food Shelf services (in take-out format)
- AA and affiliated groups
- Contractors, individuals visiting or meeting with a staff member that are not part of a larger group
Vaccination Requirement
All individuals attending any activities, not exempted above, who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and to provide proof of vaccination satisfactory to Trinity United Church, subject to the provisions set out below. For the purpose of this Policy, “fully vaccinated” means that the Individual has received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine or combination of COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (two doses of a two-dose vaccine series or one dose of a single-dose vaccine series), and at least 14 days have passed since the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was administered.
In addition to these vaccination requirements, COVID-19 public health protocols will remain in effect, which may include but are not limited to limitations on screening requirements, physical distancing, the use of masks or other face coverings, hand hygiene and sanitation protocols, which activities are permitted, and limitations on gatherings as appropriate. Trinity United Church will periodically review and update these protocols based on evolving provincial requirements and public health guidance, but reserves the right to implement public health protocols that exceed those mandated by the Province or public health officials.
It is the discretion of the individual to determine whether they choose to be vaccinated or to disclose their vaccination status. Should they make the decision not to be vaccinated or to not divulge their vaccine status, they will not be permitted to participate in non-exempted activities.
Vaccination Exemptions
Trinity United Church will consider, on an individual case-by-case basis, requests for exemption from the vaccination requirement set out above based on medical or other grounds protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code as outlined here Proof of COVID-19 vaccination | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Any individual or group who fails or refuses to comply with the requirements of this vaccination Policy or other covid 19 safety guidelines outlined by Trinity United Church will be denied access to the non-exempted activities as outlined above.
Collection, Use and Storage of Information
Information regarding an Individual’s vaccination status and/or whether they have an approved exemption from the vaccine requirement may be disclosed to authorized Group leaders for the purpose of administering and ensuring compliance with this Policy.
Duration and Review of Policy
This COVID-19 Vaccination Policy may be reviewed and updated at any time to ensure that the measures outlined remain appropriate in the circumstances and are consistent with provincial requirements and the guidance and recommendations of public health officials.
Procedure
Any individual may submit or show proof of vaccination to a designated Trinity vaccine verification compliance officer to be recorded and kept on file for future reference. Once Trinity United Church has documented an individual’s vaccine status they will not need to show it upon each entry unless requested by a group leader who is unaware of the individual’s vaccine status.
Additional Resources
COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate Program – North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (myhealthunit.ca)
How to download your vaccine status
View, print and download your vaccine certificate/receipt by going to covid19.ontariohealth.ca and following the prompts. Don’t forget your health card!
If you have a red and white health card, contact the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900 and a call centre agent can email you a copy of your receipt.
If you are having trouble with the online process, call our COVID-19 Call Centre at 1-844-478-1400 and a call centre agent can email you a copy of your receipt. A printed copy can be picked up at the North Bay or Parry Sound office. Please allow one business day if requesting a printed copy of your vaccine receipt.
COVID-19 | Canadian Shield https://canadianshieldrc.ca/
Ontario Releasing Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy | Ontario Newsroom