Catholic school board will allow staff in Mississauga, Brampton to provide negative COVID-19 tests

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has instituted a vaccine policy for all employees that allows an option to provide negative tests.

According to DPCDSB spokesperson Bruce Campbell, the board is following the announced direction and the guidance memo from the provincial Ministry of Education.

“DPCDSB employees are required to provide disclosure of vaccine status through an attestation,” said Campbell via email.

“Unvaccinated employees and those who do not provide an attestation will be required to complete rapid antigen testing prior to reporting to work on Wednesday and Friday of this week. This testing will be required on an ongoing twice per week basis moving forward.”

Campbell said DPCDSB is required to submit status updates on the number of employees who are vaccinated on an ongoing basis.

“DPCDSB endeavours to align its policies and practices on health-related matters based on recommendations, guidance and direction from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and our local public health authorities, none of which have mandated vaccines for all employees at this point in time,” said Campbell.

“Like so many matters in this pandemic environment, recommendations, guidance and direction are subject to change and we will continue to ensure that DPCDSB is compliant in this regard.”

The Peel District School Board did not respond to an email sent earlier this week.