Civil servants who have not received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine must go on leave from Monday and they cannot come back to work until they receive at least the first dose of the vaccine.
While making a national announcement, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, they are also 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.
For civil servants, that must be done by 15th August 2021, after which they may return to work so long as they go on to be fully vaccinated by 1st November 2021.
Bainimarama says if the civil servants do not adhere to these guidelines they will be dismissed from work.
He further says under the Fijian Constitution, guidelines can be issued by Government to which all civil servants must adhere.
The Prime Minister says extensions to time frames will be granted for employers and employees located in areas where vaccines are not yet available.
Bainimarama adds for the vast majority of Fijians, being vaccinated can happen very soon and very easily as they have vaccination centres open throughout the country, even drive-through vaccine centres where you can be vaccinated in the comfort of your car.
Bainimarama says those with medically-certifiable allergies to the vaccine with proper certification only by the Permanent Secretary for Health will be exempt.
He adds the Attorney General and Minister for Civil Service will provide the full details of the civil service guidelines and the relevant regulations.
SOURCE: Fiji Village