Confusion is reigning within the Yukon government as to whether school bus drivers are covered in the vaccine mandate.

A school bus driver the Star spoke with Tuesday asked why he and his colleagues are exempt from the mandate, which dictates that public service workers must be vaccinated or be placed on unpaid leave.

The mandate also applies to allied workers associated with the government – but the definition there seems to be fuzzier.

Premier Sandy Silver was first asked about the situation on Wednesday during the COVID-19 briefing. At that time, he said he didn’t know the answer to the question.

During an interview with the Star on Thursday, Silver said the situation is being examined by the Department of Education.

He did not provide a definitive answer, although his wording was suggestive that drivers are currently exempt.

This morning, Clarissa Wall, an assistant director with the Department of Education, provided the Star with the following statement via email.

“We are working with the acting chief medical officer of health to clarify the definition around work place or work site as it relates to the scope of school grounds and the ways we use school buses. 

“For example, when a bus is used for school trips versus for drop-off and pick-up of students.”

As was the case with Silver, Wall did not directly answer whether school bus drivers fall under the vaccine mandate.

It is unknown as to whether other public service employees are not included in the mandate.

Standard Bus, the company which provides service to schools in the territory, has not returned calls from the Star. An employee with the company said only the general manager is permitted to comment.

See letters, commentaries on vaccine mandate.