THE B.C. government announced on Tuesday that it is supporting the effort to increase vaccination rates throughout the province by making COVID-19 vaccination a requirement for B.C. public service employees.

The BC Public Service Agency, in consultation with the Provincial Health Officer, will require its 30,000 employees to be fully vaccinated by November 22.

As more employees return to their regular workplaces later in the fall, this provides an additional and reassuring layer of protection for workers who are continuing the vital work of serving British Columbians, said the Province.

Public service employees working in core government or ministries will be required to provide proof of full vaccination using the BC Vaccine Card.

The effective date gives employees who are not yet fully vaccinated the time they need to comply. Details of accommodations that will be made for the few people who are unable to be vaccinated will be released by early November.

To date, more than 80% of British Columbians have been fully vaccinated.