The JCCC requires all participants to be fully vaccinated in accordance with provincial guidelines in order to use the facility. We also strongly encourage everyone to get a booster shot as soon as they are eligible and able to schedule a vaccination as boosters may become a requirement for entry to the JCCC in the near future. We hope to avoid any disruption to entry and attendance at the JCCC.
Context
The JCCC is committed to the safety and the well-being of our staff, volunteers, members, tenants, facility users, visitors and community. We have been coming together at the JCCC to learn, share and grow for over 50 years and we have always ensured everyone who attends the JCCC is safe, respected and welcomed. Our mission, Friendship through Culture, continues to depend primarily on programs, events and exhibitions that require gatherings of people at the JCCC. The mission is supported by ancillary streams of revenue generation, primarily event space rental and long-term leases with tenants; both which may also include the gathering of people at the JCCC. So, in addition to the JCCC’s obligation as an employer to maintain a safe work-place, we are committed to ensuring that the JCCC is also safe for everyone who attends the premises, or attends events under the auspices of the JCCC regardless of its location. The JCCC takes all reasonable steps to ensure risks to health and safety are identified, assessed and managed appropriately.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new and evolving challenge. The JCCC follows current scientific and medical guidance and best practices, of course, but we also intend to err on the side of caution. We believe this approach is essential for us to continue to fulfil our mission.
Vaccination Requirements
The JCCC requires everyone who attends an event under the auspices of the JCCC, or enters the JCCC premises, to follow all health and safety protocols that are required by the local jurisdiction are in force at that time of the event. This includes, but is not limited to, proper masking, social distancing, testing, temperature taking, providing contact information upon request, responding to relevant questions, use of sanitizer, space/room capacity limitations and vaccinations. Based on the above noted premise, the JCCC’s policy regarding COVID vaccination has been set in place and is noted below. Note the term “vaccination” means fully vaccinated in a manner prescribed by the Chief Medical Officer of Toronto at the current time. This means that the term “fully vaccinated” may change over time to reflect additional or different vaccination requirements prescribed by the Chief Medical Officer (eg. boosters).
Groups:
Board (Directors, Advisors, guests) - Vaccination required to attend in-person meetings.
Staff - All paid positions at the JCCC require in person contact and interaction with other staff, directors, members and guests. Therefore vaccinations are required to work at the JCCC with consideration of accommodation for those who have a valid Ontario Human Rights Act protected exemption. Vaccinations and other protocols, some of which have been noted above, are a workplace health and safety issue and failure to be vaccinated or follow protocols are serious health and safety risks to the employee and others.
Instructors - Vaccination required for in-person instruction or events under the auspices of the JCCC regard-less of location. All instructors must sign and acknowledge a waiver of liability of the JCCC by October 30, 2021.
Volunteers - Vaccination required for any in-person volunteer activity under the auspices of the JCCC regardless of location. All volunteers must sign and acknowledge a waiver of liability of the JCCC prior to per-forming any volunteer activity under the JCCC’s auspices.
Class Participants - Vaccination required for in-person classes/events under the auspices of the JCCC regardless of location. All class participants must sign and acknowledge a waiver of liability of the JCCC at the time of registration for the class or event (or) prior to attending any class or event if no registration is required.
Tenants - Each tenant is responsible to establish their own policy for their premises but all tenants and their guests must abide by JCCC protocols while in JCCC common areas including but not limited to entrance restrictions, masking and social distancing
Renters - Each renter will be responsible for their own protocols and for monitoring the protocols required by Federal , Provincial and Municipal Health Regulations. Renters will also be responsible for ensuring adherence to JCCC protocols when in common areas. All renters must acknowledge and sign a waiver of liability of the JCCC at the time of signing a rental contract.
Event Guests, Visitors - Vaccination required for every vaccine-eligible person who attends an event under the auspices of the JCCC or visits the JCCC for any reason. All event guests must sign and acknowledge a waiver of liability of the JCCC prior to attending any event.
Children Ineligible for a Vaccine - Children who are currently ineligible for a vaccine are only permitted to attend events or classes under the auspices of the JCCC if they attend with a vaccinated adult family member escorting them at all times. Once they are eligible for a vaccine, the vaccination requirements for Adults found in this policy applies to them without distinction except for the requirement that a parent or guardian must sign a waiver and provide required documentation on the child’s behalf where the age of the Child requires this.
Timing:
Employees and Board members and advisors must be fully vaccinated by October 30, 2021 with a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine series. For a two dose vaccine series, the individual must receive the first dose by September 30, 2021. For a single dose vaccine series, the individual must receive the dose by September 30, 2021.
Proof of Vaccination and Vaccination Status Declaration:
The JCCC requires proof of vaccination from all employees, Board members and advisors. Proof of Vaccination means providing to the JCCC’s staff member responsible for employee data or Secretary of the Board (for Board members and advisors) valid documentation verifying receipt of a vaccination series approved by Health Canada. Examples include a provincial vaccine passport or vaccine receipt/s issued at the time of vaccination. The documentation can be provided in hard copy or electronically.
Employees and Board members must also disclose their vaccination status by September 30, 2021 by declaring in an email to the JCCC’s staff member responsible for employee data or Secretary of the Board (for Board members and advisors), whether they are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or not vaccinated, and must also include the Proof of Vaccination Status documents when making this disclosure. Where an employee’s or Board member’s vaccination status changes after the September 30, 2021 declaration, the individual must update the JCCC’s staff member responsible for employee data or Secretary of the Board (for Board members and advisors).
Privacy
The JCCC will maintain vaccination disclosure information including documentation verifying receipt of a vaccination series in accordance with privacy legislation. This information will only be used to the extent necessary for implementation of this policy, for administering health and safety protocols and infection and control measures at the JCCC. Privacy requirements will also apply to any information gathered as part of this JCCC Health Protection Policy.
Consequences of Non Compliance:
Employees who do not comply with this policy may be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal. Board members and advisors who do not comply with this policy may not be permitted to participate in in-person meetings or enter the JCCC premises. Any others who are non-compliant may be barred from entering the JCCC’s premises or participating in JCCC events regardless of location.
Effective Date:
December 17, 2021