Australians could be banned from entering restaurants, pubs and even shops if they fail to show proof of immunisation when the vaccine is rolled out on Monday.
Safe Work Australia said while it’s unlikely companies will be forced to ask customers for proof of vaccination under current work health and safety laws, they are free to do so if they please.
The safety regulator recommended that businesses – including cafes, restaurants and bars – consider taking further precautionary action once the vaccine is administered.
Quarantine and border staff, aged care residents and frontline health staff will receive their first jab of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday (pictured: nurse simulates administering Covid-19 vaccine at vaccination hub in Camperdown)
Safe Work Australia recommends businesses to consider asking customers for proof of vaccination as an entry requirement (pictured: revellers at the Coogee Bay Hotel)
‘However, you might still want to require this as a condition of entry to your premises,’ the advice said.
‘Before you take action to impose this kind of requirement, you should seek advice as there may be privacy and discrimination issues that apply.’
Safe Work also recommends that employers can’t force staff to get the jab, and workers aren’t allowed to use their colleagues’ inability to get vaccinated as an excuse to stay home.
But at-risk industries such as hotel quarantine and workplaces that care for groups vulnerable to the virus, may have a better chance to encourage vaccinations.
The advice from Safe Work recommends that businesses use pre-existing laws that allow companies to issue reasonable directions to staff.
Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter said the Safe Work advice reinforced that vaccinations against Covid-19 should be voluntary.
‘The government expects that the overwhelming majority of Australians will want to be vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones, and so they can get on with their lives without disruption,’ Mr Porter said.
Safe Work Australia said it’s unlikely companies will need to ask customers for proof of vaccination but recommends implementing additional measures (pictured: revellers at the Coogee Bay Hotel)
Australia is expected to receive its first 80,000 doses of the Covid Pfizer vaccine by next week. Pictured: Prime Minister Scott Morrison walks past vials of AstraZeneca vaccine during a visit to the CSL serum lab to inspect Covid-19 Immunoglobulin being produced in Parkville, Melbourne on Friday
A recent Australian Bureau of Statistics survey found that three out of four Australians said they would happily receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The survey found men were more likely than women, at 76 per cent versus 71 per cent, to agree or strongly agree with getting a vaccine, as were people aged over 65 compared to those aged 18 to 64 (83 per cent versus 71 per cent).
But 12 per cent said they did not want to get a vaccine, due to concerns about potential side effects or how effective the vaccine would be.
From Monday, quarantine and border staff, aged care residents and frontline health staff around the country will receive their first jab of the Pfizer vaccine as phase 1a of the Australia’s vaccination program begins.
If you are in an at-risk group, you should contact your GP to ensure you receive the vaccine promptly.
A recent Australian Bureau of Statistics survey found that three out of four Australians said they would receive the COVID-19 vaccine (pictured: nurse simulates administering Covid-19 vaccine at vaccination hub in Camperdown)
Everything Aussies need to know about the vaccine roll out
* What about Australians under the age of 16?
The Pfizer vaccination approval does not cover people under the age of 16, but it has no upper age limit. The medical regulator says the benefits of the vaccination for people over the age of 85, or those who are frail, should be weighed against potential risk of even a mild response.
Age limits for the AstraZeneca vaccination will be outlined in the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s approval.
* How many do we get?
Both vaccines are two doses – so Australians will get two at least 21 days apart. They will need to be from the same company.
* Where will they be administered?
General practitioners and pharmacies have put their hand up to be involved, and there’s expected to be pop-up clinics at current COVID-19 testing centres and hospitals.
* How can Australians prove they’ve been vaccinated?
Jabs will be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register. Certificates proving vaccinations will then be available either digitally or in hard copy. The government says this might be needed for interstate and overseas travel.
* How many vaccines has Australia ordered?
Australia has secured more than 150 million doses of various vaccines, including almost 54 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, with the vast majority to be manufactured in Melbourne. As well as more than 51 million from Novavax.
WHICH VACCINES AUSTRALIA HAS SECURED:
Pfizer:
20 million doses – enough to vaccinate 10 million Australians
Novavax:
Australia has ordered 51 million doses but it is still in the trial phase
University of Oxford/AstraZeneca:
53.8 million doses
3.8 million doses to be delivered to Australia in early 2021
COVAX Facility
The Australian Government has joined the COVAX Facility as part of a global effort to support rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. This participation enables us to purchase vaccine doses for Australia as they become available
This includes the Moderna vaccine, CureVac, Inovio and others.
Australia has paid $123.2 million to allow the purchase of over 25,000,000 doses and paid $80 million to support vaccine access for
University of Queensland:
Australia had ordered 51 million doses. However, the deal has been scrapped after trial participants returned false positive results for HIV
