Covid-19 Vaccination Policy

(Policy ending on March 21st, 2022)

Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding and Family Camp Inc. (“Hope Haven” or the “Organization”) is committed to keeping our employees, participants, volunteers, visitors and the public safe from the serious risk of COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic. In accordance with its duty under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) to take all reasonable precautions in the circumstances to protect the health and safety its workers, Hope Haven has adopted this Vaccination Policy (this “Policy”).

In adopting this Policy, Hope Haven has regard to the prevalence of the Delta variant of concern globally and within Ontario, which has increased transmissibility and disease severity more than previous COVID-19 virus strains.

Date of Issuance: August 27,2021

Effective Date:  This Policy takes effect on September 10, 2021.

Education

Employees are strongly encouraged to review information about COVID-19 vaccines which is available from government and local health authority websites, such as: Ontario.ca/covidvaccine.

Policy

All employees, participants and volunteers of Hope Haven are required to follow all COVID protocols that are in place in accordance with the Hope Haven Covid-19 Infection Control Policies & Procedures (Last Modified 08/27/221) as well as all protocols as recommended by Public Health authorities, regardless of their vaccination status.  Hope Haven is monitoring guidance from all applicable public health authorities and will update our protocols as appropriate.

Safe and reliable vaccines are an important tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19, build immunity in Ontario and protect our communities. Hope Haven provides services to a vulnerable sector of the community.  In particular, our participants are more vulnerable and medically complex than the general population and therefore may be more vulnerable to infection and severe outcomes from COVID-19.   The organization and its workers therefore have a heightened responsibility to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our employees, participants and volunteers.  Hope Haven strongly encourages all eligible employees, participants and volunteers to voluntarily receive full COVID-19 vaccination.   Hope Haven will work with staff members to ensure they have time off work to be vaccinated if necessary.

Hope Haven will require all employees, independent contractors, workers, participants, volunteers, family members and visitors to be fully vaccinated in order to work on or enter/access our premises or to participate in indoor and outdoor programs.  All employees, independent contractors and workers must receive a first shot by September 10, 2021 in order to continue employment and be fully vaccinated by October 31, 2021, assuming a 2 shot vaccination regime.  With respect to program participants, it is recognized that COVID vaccinations are not yet available for children under the age of 12.  Before entering on the premises or returning to indoor or outdoor programming, proof of vaccination will be required.  All staff, participants and volunteers are encouraged to voluntarily disclose proof of vaccination by contacting the Executive Director at execdir@hopehavencentre.org.

For the purposes of this Policy, “fully vaccinated” means having received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine or combination of COVID-19 vaccines approved by WHO (e.g., two doses of a two-dose vaccine series, or one dose of a single-dose vaccine series); and having received the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.”

Policy Modification

Hope Haven reserves the right to update its policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations at any time in its sole discretion in accordance with evolving public health recommendations and to adapt to changing circumstances and the organization’s needs, while committed to maintaining a safe workplace environment.

Accommodation

Hope Haven recognizes its responsibilities and duties under the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”). If an individual is unable to be vaccinated due to a protected ground as defined by the Code, Hope Haven will comply with its duty to accommodate up to the point of undue hardship, which will be considered in the context of Hope Haven’s obligations to protect health and safety under the OHSA. Any request for accommodation must be in writing.  Employees may be required to submit documentation substantiating such request.

Employees, participants, volunteers and family members with any concerns are requested to contact the Executive Director.

Employees, participants, family members and volunteers are directed to refer to Hope Haven’s current COVID-19 Infection Control Policies & Procedures for full instructions on how to stay protected from COVID-19.

Privacy

All personal or medical information acquired by Hope Haven, including proof of vaccination and individual vaccination status, will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and will be collected, stored, used, and disclosed in accordance with applicable privacy legislation. Proof of vaccination and information regarding individual vaccination status will be kept in a confidential file and stored in a secure location for the purposes of ensuring the safety of the organization’s employees, participants and public in the event of a COVID-19 breakout.