Fiji has announced all civil servants, and private sector employers and employees will be required to have a Covid-19 vaccination if they are to continue working.
Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced the new plan on Thursday night as the island nation grapples with its outbreak.
Civil servants who have not received their first dose of the vaccine must go on leave from Monday next week, he said in a live video on Facebook.
Those employees cannot come back to work unless they have at least received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. They must have that first dose by August 15, 2021.
READ MORE:* Covid-19: Chris Hipkins on what vaccination means for border* Covid-19 in Fiji: New Zealand health staff asked to offer more assistance* Covid-19: Niue days from full vaccination, travel bubble in place by end of year* Covid-19: 48 arrested in Fiji for failing to wear a mask* Covid-19: Mortuary full, public frustration, confusion rife in Fiji* Covid-19 in Fiji: 33 people have died from the virus amid the pandemic
They are allowed to return to work so long as they are fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021.
If they do not adhere to these guidelines, they will be dismissed from work, he said.
He said those in Government cannot serve their people if they are sick.
On Wednesday, Fiji recorded 791 new daily Covid-19 cases and three deaths in a 24-hour period. To date, 42 people have died in Fiji since the pandemic began, and of those, 40 deaths have been during this years April outbreak. A total of 7940 cases have been recorded in Fiji since the pandemic began.
In his live video on Thursday night, Bainimarama went on to explain the vaccination expectations for those in the private sector. He said the management and staff of many businesses in Fiji are already fully vaccinated, which is wonderful. He said, all others in the private sector must follow their lead.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama visited the Covid-19 testing facility in Suva when it opened in April.
In accordance with the Health and Safety Work Act, we are requiring that all employers and employees in the private sector and statutory bodies receive at least one dose of the vaccine by 1st August 2021.
It was simply unfair for people to risk the health of their co-workers or their customers because they refuse to get a vaccination that is known to be safe and effective, he said.
Bainimarama made it clear that it did not matter if someone was a CEO, a sole trader or an employee you must be vaccinated to continue working or else that business will risk being shutdown.
No jabs, no job. That is what the science tells us is safest, and that is now the policy of Government and enforced through law.
There will be extensions to vaccination timeframes granted for those in areas who cannot access vaccinations as easily as others.
The good news is that the Covid-19 vaccines are working, he said.
Bainimarama used the media opportunity to promote the AstraZeneca vaccine, running through the huge benefits of the vaccine and also busting myths and misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines. He said only a foolish few were speaking lies.
He reiterated that vaccines were the best protection for individuals and their families.
Fiji’s prime minister urges people to follow the rules or risk facing a fine for breaching Covid-19 health guidelines.
He said he would not ask his people to accept any medical treatment that he would not accept himself.
My fellow Fijians, the end of this ordeal will come. Until it does, we must remain vigilant until more of us are protected. Get vaccinated. Wear your mask. Maintain physical distance from others.
Bainimarama said there are harsh on the spot fines that people will given if they breach the heath guidelines. These fines will act as deterrents for people, and range from $20 for individuals and up to $4000 for serious business breaches.
Bainimarama said they do not want to lock people up, and they do not want their money, instead they want people to follow the rules.
This is a matter of saving lives, he said.
