Senators agree to vaccine mandate to participate in-person

If Senators want to participate in Senate proceedings in-person in the new Parliament, they must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or take a rapid test if they have a medical exemption. The agreement was announced on Thursday after Senate Speaker George Furey consulted with the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and groups within the Senate.

The agreement was announced on Thursday after Senate Speaker George Furey consulted with the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and groups within the Senate.

Effective Nov. 22, the first day of the 44th Parliament, all senators must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Those who have a medical exemption will have the option of providing proof of a recent negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result," Furey said in a statement. "As has been the case since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health, safety and well-being of all parliamentary personnel remains of paramount importance to the Senate."

This policy echoes the Board of Internal Economy deciding earlier this month to implement a vaccine mandate requiring anyone entering any buildings in the House of Commons precinct, including the Chamber, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Nov. 22.