The governments ‘no jab no job’ policy takes effect today.
Attorney General John Muria Jr over the weekend stated that the policy expired on the 31st of October 2021, meaning those public servants who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 will be on half-pay starting today.
Those that are still not vaccinated by 1st January 2022 will have their employment terminated.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, in a recent update, stated that just over 44,613 people have completed both doses of COVID-19 vaccines, representing 10.8 % of the total eligible population.
He said an additional 108,417 people have taken their first doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
The prime minister said out of the target population of 417,327 they still need 375,595 people to come forward and get their jabs.
"Cabinet has also directed the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the OSC [Covid-19 Oversight Committee] to implement more comprehensive advocacy and awareness programs to address the stated reasons of why people are not taking their vaccination," Manasseh Sogavare said.
The no jab, no job rules has become commonplace in many parts of the world as countries fight Covid.
The measures also include ‘vaccine passports’ for international travel, care homes, hospitals, and large events, and while some have resisted, compliance is generally high.