CALGARY — WestJet has announced as of Oct. 30 all of its employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a statement, the airline says anyone who is not fully vaccinated will face unpaid leave or their employment will be terminated.
Protecting the health and safety of our guests and WestJetters will always be our number one priority. Effective October 30, 2021, all WestJet Group employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19: https://t.co/tAWWLy2o9d pic.twitter.com/il84FL0Um5
— WestJet (@WestJet) September 8, 2021
“Protecting the health and safety of our guests and employees remains our number one priority and vaccinations are our best line of defense,” said WestJet Executive Vice-President of People, Mark Porter, in a release. “Aviation has been one of the hardest-hit industries and we believe requiring all WestJet Group employees to be vaccinated is the right thing to do and ensures the safest travel and work environment for everyone in WestJet’s world.”
It adds it will not be providing testing as an alternative to vaccination.
“The WestJet Group remains committed to building back even stronger to ensure a competitive aviation industry in Canada. Requiring all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is essential to the safe restart of travel across Canada.”
The move comes just a few weeks after Air Canada announced all of its employees must also be fully vaccinated.
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All new hires going forward must also be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
WestJet adds it will evaluate and accommodate employees who are unable to be vaccinated against COVID-19 either through medical or other exemptions.
