Northlands College provides instruction for students throughout Northern Saskatchewan. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

COVID measures

Vaccination or testing requirement coming to Northlands College

Oct 5, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Staff and students at Northlands College will either need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or undergo regular testing.

The measure was announced in a video released Tuesday featuring CEO Guy Penney. He explained the new policy will follow similar actions already made public by the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina and Sask. Polytechnic. Staff and students at those institutions need to provide proof of vaccination by mid-October.

“It’s going to come down to a choice of two options,” Penney said. “Providing voluntary proof of vaccination and, in the absence of that or the refusal of that, submitting to regular testing.”

Employees choosing to do regular testing will be required to do so on their own time and expense. The cost of testing will initially be covered for students, but Penney noted the college has no intention of paying for testing indefinitely.

Penney mentioned more details such as timelines and logistics will be announced next week. He added medical and religious exemptions will be honoured and a reasonable solution will be found.

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“I’m responsible for the safety and security of every staff member and every student in our institution, and that’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly,” Penney said. “COVID isn’t going away tomorrow, but with careful planning and good mitigation strategies, including things like vaccinations, we can start planning for a better day ahead as it relates to post COVID.”

As for non-compliance, Penney said administration is making the assumption that staff and students will choose one of the two options. He noted those who don’t chose an option will be dealt with accordingly.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno