On August 2nd, Mecklenburg county leaders informed employees that they had until September 15th to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test. There were 598 employees that didn’t provide the necessary information and were suspended without pay until they can provide such proof. 221 were with the department of parks and recreation and are mainly part-time or temporary workers. 290 people work full time and of that 290, 119 work for the Department of Social Services.