The province has confirmed civil servants who refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine, or disclose their vaccine status, will be allowed to return to work on March 21.
That coincides with the beginning of Phase 3 of the province’s reopening plan, which sees all public health restrictions, including proof of vaccine, dropped.
After a cabinet meeting Thursday, Colton LeBlanc, Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, confirmed civil servants who still hadn’t gotten the shot can come back.
“Employees that were placed on unpaid leave of absence, except those covered under the high-risk protocol, will be allowed to return to work.”
LeBlanc says that applies to 84 civil servants, at last count, still on leave because they didn’t get vaccinated.
Healthcare workers not included
However, Michelle Thompson, Minster of Health and Wellness, says there’s no plan to drop the vaccination requirement for Nova Scotia Health employees.
“The conversations continue, but we continue to hold the line with that for now.”
The COVID-19 vaccine is one of a slate of vaccinations required to work for the province’s health authority.
