Workers in Alberta can get three hours of paid leave to get a COVID-19 Vaccine. The change was made on Wednesday after the employment standards changes took effect on Wednesday night.
The changes come in at the time the province is getting hit by the highest cases of COVID-19. The Employment Standards Act was introduced in the House for amendment on Wednesday and came into effect after the first reading.
Jason Copping, Minister of Labour and Immigration said that it allows hard-working Alberta to get a leave to get vaccinated.
“Hard-working Albertans want to get the vaccine, but some may not be able to schedule an appointment because of their working hours. And they may not be able to afford a loss of pay, which is a barrier to getting vaccinated.”
Alberta Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw, on Wednesday, confirmed 1699 new cases. This is the highest in a single day since mid-December. Hinshaw added that 1, 332 cases involved variants in the last 24 hours. In Alberta, 59 percent of all cases involve variants.
Hinshaw added that Albertan should continue working together to protect loved ones, neighbors, communities, and workers.
“I remain concerned about the high spread in our province. We must continue to work together on behalf of our loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, and communities to bend the curve and drive cases down province-wide.”
Coping affirmed that Albertans can now take leave without being fired twice to get the two-dose. The leave extends bother to full-time and part-time workers.
Saskatchewan has passed a similar paid leave, B.C. has introduced the same in the House this week.
