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The City of Edmonton will be requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for residents to access indoor city facilities as of Monday.
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In a statement posted to its website early Friday morning, the city said it will be adopting the province’s vaccine passport system coming into effect Monday which allows businesses to operate without restrictions, except mandatory masking, if the vaccine program is implemented.
Guests entering a city facility, including recreation centres and indoor attractions, will need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before entering.
“During the initial stages of this program, Edmontonians should plan to arrive at facilities a little earlier than normal,” the city said in its post. “We ask for patience as city employees review patrons’ individual vaccination status or recent negative test results.”
This requirement doesn’t extend to city workers, who don’t fall under the province’s vaccine requirement. The City of Edmonton hasn’t yet implemented a vaccine mandate for employees but Mayor Don Iveson said Thursday it’s a direction he would like to see the city move in. Data from the city’s mandatory disclosure process highlighted a vaccination rate of 72 per cent, but 14 per cent of employees didn’t respond to the survey.
