REGINA — SGI is the latest to announce a mandatory proof of vaccination policy in Saskatchewan, which includes in-car drivers tests but not written examinations.
Beginning Oct. 25., drivers will need to provide proof of full vaccination prior to getting behind the wheel with an examiner, or produce a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Penny McCune, chief operating officer for the Auto Fund, said the decision was made with the safety of both customers and employees in mind.
A large majority of those taking a road test with SGI in the past year were younger individuals, with half age 19 or under and 38 per cent between ages 20 and 30.
Data from the Saskatchewan Health Authority also shows that younger individuals make up a large portion of those still unvaccinated in the province.
Per government direction, SGI employees are required to be vaccinated or provide regular negative test results, and the new customer policy aims to extend that protection against potential COVID-19 transmission.
“Unlike other customer-facing services SGI offers, customers and driver examiners participating in a road test are in close quarters in an enclosed air space within a vehicle,” said a statement from SGI.
Mandatory masking is also required inside SGI buildings, following public health orders, and a large number of customer services continue to be directed to the phone centre.