Porter Airlines is introducing a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for its team members to support a safe and healthy workplace for employees and passengers. Aligning with the company’s restart of service on Sept. 8, employees must be fully vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours of the start of their shift, says the airline.

The Canadian federal government recently announced its intention to mandate vaccination for federally regulated employers and workers. Porter says it is committed to introducing “these important safety measures,” adding that once specific requirements from the government are known, it’s policy may evolve.

“We have a responsibility to ensure a safe workplace. With vaccines readily available for everyone in Canada and the US, and their proven effectiveness, requiring vaccination or regular testing is a critical measure to protect the health of our team members,” says Porter Airlines president and CEO Michael Deluce. “We are providing a testing option to ensure that personal circumstances are accommodated.”

He adds, “This policy is another layer of reassurance for our passengers. In addition to our Healthy Flights program, now every team member passengers come in contact with will either be fully vaccinated or recently tested. Working and flying with Porter will be a safer experience for everyone.”

Porter says it also supports the government’s plan to require full vaccination for all air travellers.