Six Air Niugini staff walked away with K10,000 last Friday from a lottery by the company to reward employees who have volunteered to receive vaccine against Covid-19.
The first prize winner won K5,000 followed by K1,000 each for the rest of the five winners. Staff participated by sending in copies of their green cards to Air Niugini to show that they have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine or were fully vaccinated.
Air Niugini has provided the venue each week for medical staff from NCD Provincial Health Authority to be on site to provide the vaccine, however the decision to receive vaccine was made voluntarily by individual staff. The airline in partnership with stakeholders has also been conducting awareness amongst staff on Covid-19.
The vaccine significantly reduces the risks of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 or possibly dying and also reduces the risks of catching and spreading the virus to colleagues, families and the community. Over half of Air Niugini staff have been fully vaccinated so far. The NCD PHA staff will be back each week for staff who want a first dose or need their second does of the vaccine.
Being fully vaccinated is already a requirement for anyone travelling to Australia, the USA or European Union, including airline crew travelling for recurrent simulator. Additionally, Hong Kong and Singapore are expected to require all passengers as well as operating crew flying to these destinations to be fully vaccinated before the end of this year.
Air Niugini will be conducting a second lottery draw on 10th November with another K10,000 to again reward staff who have volunteered to take the Covid-19 vaccine.