Council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover has decided against mandating its staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Reeve Stan Toews says this became a matter of discussion after Association of Manitoba Municipalities sent them a vaccination policy template, which they could adopt if they felt comfortable. Toews says it was not that AMM was pushing for this, but rather was just trying to be proactive.

The recommendation to not mandate vaccinations came from Hanover's Finance and Administration committee. It was then passed unanimously by Hanover Council at its regular meeting on Wednesday. Toews says mandating vaccines has the potential to be very damaging.

"It gives all kinds of split division," he points out. "Hopefully people will see that vaccines are good and maybe come around."

As of today, fifteen per cent of Hanover staff are unvaccinated, not including firefighters. Toews says he does not think a mandate would have been well received.

"I'm sure we would have lost some employees with the mandate," he says. "Just like every other industry that has implemented it at this point."

Instead, it will be up to Chief Administrative Officer Luc Lahaie to do what he can to reduce the likelihood of transmission. This includes measures such as segregating employees, allowing staff to work from home, encouraging remote meetings, closing certain sites to the general public and temporarily laying off employees if necessary.

Lahaie says at this time they are running their council meetings and committee meetings using a hybrid model by offering virtual meeting options to staff and council members who must isolate. Also, staff or council members who do not feel comfortable working in a close environment in a committee room are offered the option of connecting virtually.

The municipality has also stated that recreation committee meetings must be done virtually at this time because recreation staff should not be exposed to community volunteers who may or may not be vaccinated. Staff who are able to effectively work from home are encouraged to do so as well.

According to Lahaie, there has been no need to lay-off staff at this time, nor close municipal offices.

Also, all staff have been made aware that a vaccination policy may become a reality if the situation gets worse. There is also the consideration that all new hires will be required to show proof of vaccination as an employment requirement.

Earlier this week, Quebec Premier François Legault announced significant financial penalties for adults in his province who choose not to get vaccinated for non-medical reasons. Toews says that is not right.

"People have to make up their mind and do what they are comfortable with," he says.