News24com These countries are making Covid-19 vaccines mandatory

A healthcare worker holds a syringe of Covid-19 vaccine.

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A sharp upturn in new Covid-19 infections due to the highly contagious Delta variant and a slowdown in vaccination rates have pushed governments to make Covid-19 shots mandatory for health workers and other high-risk groups. A growing number of countries also stipulate that a shot, or a negative test, will be needed for dining out, among other activities.

Australia

Australia decided in late June to make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for high-risk aged-care workers and employees in quarantine hotels.

It has also made vaccinations obligatory for Paralympic athletes heading to Tokyo because unvaccinated members on the team could pose a health risk.

UK

It will be mandatory for care home workers in England to have Covid-19 vaccinations from October.

English nightclubs and other venues with large crowds will require patrons to present proof of full vaccination from the end of September.

Canada

Canada's Treasury Board Secretariat said on 20 July it was considering whether Covid-19 vaccines should be required for certain roles and positions in the federal government, according to CBC News.

France

The French parliament on 2 August approved a bill which will make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for health workers as well as require a bolstered health pass in many social venues.

The government said on 19 July that the planned 45 000 euro fine for businesses that do not check that clients have a health pass will be much lower, starting at up to 1 500 euros and increasing progressively for repeat offenders. Fines will not be imposed immediately.

Greece

Greece on 12 July made vaccinations mandatory for nursing home staff with immediate effect and healthcare workers from September. As part of new measures, only vaccinated customers are allowed indoors in bars, cinemas, theatres and other closed spaces.

Indonesia

Indonesia made Covid-19 inoculations mandatory in February, with the capital Jakarta threatening fines of up to 5 million rupiah ($357) for refusing.

Italy

A decree approved by the Italian government in March mandates that health workers, including pharmacists, get vaccinated. Those who refuse could be suspended without pay for the rest of the year.

Hungary

Hungary's government has decided to make vaccinations mandatory for healthcare workers, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told public radio on 23 July.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan will introduce mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations or weekly testing for people working in groups of more than 20, the health ministry said on 23 June.

Lebanon

Lebanon is to limit entry to restaurants, cafes, pubs and beaches to people holding vaccine certificates or those who have taken antibodies tests, the tourism ministry said on 30 July. Non-vaccinated employees of these establishments would be required to conduct a PCR test every 72 hours.

Malta

Malta banned visitors from entering the country from 14 July 14 unless they are fully vaccinated.

Poland

Poland could make vaccinations obligatory for some people at high risk from Covid-19 from August.

Russia

The Russian capital has unveiled a plan requiring 60% of all service sector workers to be fully vaccinated by 15 August, according to the Moscow Times.

Moscow residents no longer have to present a QR code demonstrating they have been vaccinated or have immunity in order to sit in cafes, restaurants and bars from 19 July 19.

Saudi Arabia

In May, Saudi Arabia mandated all public and private sector workers wishing to attend a workplace get vaccinated, without specifying when this would be implemented.

Vaccination will also be required to enter any governmental, private, or educational establishments and to use public transportation as of 1 August.

Saudi citizens will need two vaccine doses before they can travel outside the kingdom from 9 August, state news agency SPA reported on 19 July, citing the ministry of interior.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan's healthcare ministry said on 7 July it was making vaccination mandatory for all residents aged 18 and over.

US

US President Joe Biden announced on 29 July that all civilian federal workers will need to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 or face regular testing, social distancing, mask requirements and travel limits, a source familiar with the matter said.

New York City will become the first major US city to require, from 13 September, proof of vaccination for customers and staff at restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses as the country enters a new phase of battling the Delta variant.

New York will require state employees to be vaccinated or get tested weekly, a mandate that will go into effect on 6 September, Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will require their workers to get the vaccine or get tested weekly, Cuomo said on 2 August

New Jersey state health care workers and employees who work in jails must by vaccinated by 7 September or face testing twice a week.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said that all state employees would be ordered to get vaccinated starting 2 August or undergo Covid-19 testing at least once a week.

Denver municipal employees and people working in high-risk settings in the city will be required to get vaccinated, Mayor Michael Hancock said on 2 August.

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