Elorza, Council President Battle Over Vaccination Requirement for Public Safety Workers
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza on December 28 announced an updated COVID-19 vaccine policy for City of Providence employees.
His requirement was that all employees would need to show proof that they received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by January 14, 2022 -- and that they completed their primary series of vaccination as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) by February 28, 2022.
The announcement by Elorza updated the City's existing October 1, 2021 vaccine policy which allowed employees to choose between providing proof of vaccination or weekly negative PCR tests.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAt the time Elorza said, "The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective and the best solution we have to fight this pandemic.” Rhode Island has now been averaging more than 5,000 COVID cases per day.
Council President Raises Concerns
With the deadline looming, Providence City Council President John Igliozzi -- who has been silent on the issue until now -- is making claims that the policy will cause a public safety issue.
It is unclear why Igliozzi waited more than two weeks before raising concerns.
“If a significant number of police officers are fired, lawlessness would take hold, disrupt City business, and put every resident of Providence at risk,” said Igliozzi.
“The City Council is prepared to vote on an ordinance requiring the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Director of Human Resources, or any other City official to provide a clear explanation for mass terminations and an appropriate staffing plan for the impacted department,” said the City Council in a press release.
Igliozzi Wednesday announced an emergency meeting of the Providence City Council for Friday, January 14, at 5:30 p.m. to vote on an ordinance he is proposing, with a majority of the Council, that will lay out new procedures for mass terminations in the city.
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