City of Dayton to mandate weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated city employees

DAYTON — City of Dayton employees will be required to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing if they are not fully vaccinated against the virus, according to updated city protocols signed Monday.

Employees who are not fully vaccinated by Sept. 20 will be subjected to the weekly testing policy, according to the protocol documents obtained by News Center 7 by a public records request Tuesday. Proof of the test must be submitted to the city’s human resources department within 72 hours of completion.

“The City does not require any employee to obtain the COVID-19 vaccination. However, effective September 20, 2021, any City employee who has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be required to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing,” the policy reads.

Individual employees will be responsible for the cost of the tests and the city will not provide funds or reimbursement to the employee for the cost of the required test.

“City employees, except those employees with a religious or medical exemption to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, will be responsible for the cost of their weekly COVID-19 test. They must complete their weekly test on their own time or by using approved leave. Supervisors are encouraged to work with their employees to facilitate the scheduling of this weekly COVID-19 testing,” the policy reads.

If a city worker doesn’t submit to testing will be removed from the workplace and could request to be placed on accrued paid leave, such as vacation time or personal time. Paid sick leave will not be allowed to be used for time missed around the new testing protocols.

Additionally, any city worker will not be permitted to return to work until the city is provided a valid, negative COVID-19 test, according to the policy.

City workers who choose to get vaccinated will be paid a one-time $100 payment that is funded through the city’s wellness program. Employees who either get vaccinated or have previously received the shot are required to submit proof of vaccination either through the city’s wellness portal or by filling out the city’s COVID-19 vaccine affidavit.

Paid COVID-19 leave will be offered to city employees who meet certain criteria including being fully vaccinated or unable to be vaccinated due to religious or medical exemption, previously submitted documentation about vaccination or exemption, was exposed to COVID-19 while on the job by another city employee, and if the employee is experiencing symptoms.

Included in the updated policy was the mask mandate that was put into effect last week. The policy calls for all city employees and visitors in public buildings to wear a mask while inside.

The city has called a news conference for 11:30 a.m. and will provide additional details on the new policies.

We’ll update this story as new details become available.

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