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B.C. workers now eligible for three hours of paid leave to get COVID-19 vaccine

Click to play video: 'Pop-up vaccination clinics in Fraser Health for those 30+'
Pop-up vaccination clinics in Fraser Health for those 30+
Rush to get the jab in Coquitlam. A pop-up vaccination clinic draws long lines from many people looking to get the AstraZeneca vaccine. Aaron McArthur reports – Apr 28, 2021

Workers in British Columbia can receive up to three hours of paid leave in order to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

A statement from the Ministry of Labour says amendments to the Employment Standards Act are now in effect, retroactive to April 19.

The employer-paid leave covers full-time and part-time workers and the ministry says it ensures no employee will lose pay for taking time off to get vaccinated.

The three-hour leave is part of B.C.’s immunization plan and the statement says it helps make the vaccination process as easy as possible.

Click to play video: 'B.C. hopes to fast track COVID-19 vaccine timeline'
B.C. hopes to fast track COVID-19 vaccine timeline

The legislation improves on changes enacted April 1 that provide unpaid leave for pandemic-related vaccinations, which could include a worker accompanying a family  member for a shot, or if the worker needs more time to get to an assigned vaccination facility.

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Labour Minister Harry Bains says vaccinations keep workers safe and reduce risks to businesses.

“Our government believes it’s in everyone’s interest to remove all barriers to a worker getting vaccinated when they are eligible to do so,” Bains says in the statement.

The paid leave amendment will remain in effect until repealed by regulation, the ministry says.

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