Garnar: Broome County Employees May Face Vaccination Mandate
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar says everyone employed by county government could be required to receive a Covid-19 vaccine soon.
Garnar said a review of the new guidance from the White House tied to President Biden's vaccination mandate executive order.
Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Garnar said it now appears county and local governments in New York state will fall under the rule.
The county executive said weekly testing might be required for those who don't want to get vaccinated.
Garnar said the employee vaccination directive would result in a "pretty big logistical operation" for the county. He said workers who fall under the rule would have to be fully vaccinated by January 4.
County officials are poring over the guidance document to determine specifically what may be required.
Garnar said the New York State Association of Counties has indicated that local governments likely will have to follow the rule.
The county executive noted a few employees at the Willow Point Nursing Home chose not to get vaccinated despite the state mandate for health care workers. He said he believed the county "lost about 10 employees total of the several hundred" who work at the facility.
In that case, there was no "test-out" provision. Employees were required to receive the vaccine or else lose their jobs.
Garnar said he expects to lose some more county employees if the federal mandate is imposed.
A big logistical challenge looms if the county is required to determine the vaccination status of its more than 1,600 employees.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.
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