(Reuters) – A sharp upturn in infections due to the Delta variant and a slowdown in vaccinations have pushed governments to make COVID-19 shots mandatory for health workers, other high-risk groups or dining out.
A growing number of countries are also making shots compulsory for public servants or travelers. In some of the strictest measures in the world, Italy will require a COVID health pass from all workers.
Here are some countries’ vaccine mandates:
ITALY
The Italian government made it obligatory for all workers either to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from infection. The new rules will come into force on Oct. 15.
Any worker who fails to present a valid health certificate will be suspended without pay, but cannot be sacked, according to a draft of the decree seen by Reuters.
While some European Union states have ordered their health workers to get vaccines, none have made the Green Pass mandatory for all employees, making Italy a test case for the continent.
UNITED STATES
President Joe Biden on Sept. 10 announced policies requiring most federal employees to get COVID-19 vaccinations and pushing large employers to have their workers inoculated or tested weekly.
The new measures would apply to about two-thirds of all U.S. employees, those who work for businesses with more than 100 workers.
The White House confirmed on Aug. 5 it is considering requiring foreign visitors to be vaccinated as it plans to eventually reopen international travel but said it had made no final decision and was not immediately going to lift restrictions.
AUSTRALIA
Australia decided in late June to make vaccinations mandatory for high-risk aged-care workers and employees in quarantine hotels.
In Tasmania, vaccines will be mandatory for aged care workers as of Sept. 17, the Examiner reported https://bit.ly/3xQ2LYw on Aug. 14.
BRITAIN
It will be mandatory for care home workers in England to have 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.
Britain is highly likely to require health workers to be vaccinated against COVID, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Sept. 14.
CANADA
Canada said on Aug. 13 it would mandate COVID-19 vaccination for federal public servants and transportation workers by the end of October. The vaccine mandate will also include air, train and cruise ship travellers.
From Sept. 13, vaccines are required for patrons of non-essential businesses such as restaurants and movie theatres.
FIJI
A “no jab, no job” coronavirus policy went into effect in Fiji on Aug. 15, AFP reported, with unvaccinated public servants forced to go on leave. Those who remain unvaccinated by November will be dismissed.
In addition, employees at private firms could face fines and companies could be forced to stop operations over vaccine refusals.
FRANCE
All healthcare and care home workers, home aids and urgent care technicians must have had at least their first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 15.
Hospitals, care homes and health centres have suspended around 3,000 workers across France for failing to comply with mandatory COVID vaccination, the government said on Sept. 16.
GREECE
Greece on July 12 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 in bars, cinemas, theatres and other closed spaces.
HUNGARY
Hungary’s government has decided to make vaccinations mandatory for healthcare workers.
INDONESIA
The world’s fourth most populous country made inoculations mandatory in February, threatening fines of up to 5 million rupiah ($357).
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan will introduce mandatory vaccinations or weekly testing for people working in groups of more than 20.
LEBANON
Lebanon is to limit entry to restaurants, cafes, pubs and beaches to people holding vaccine certificates or those who have taken antibody tests.
Non-vaccinated employees of these establishments would be required to receive a PCR test every 72 hours.
MALTA
Malta banned visitors from entering the country from July 14 unless they were fully vaccinated.
MICRONESIA
The small South Pacific island nation of the Federated States of Micronesia has mandated that its adult population be inoculated against COVID-19. The Pacific island nation said on July 29 everyone over 18 years will have to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
NETHERLANDS
The Dutch government announced on Sept. 14 it will introduce a “corona” pass showing proof of vaccination to go to bars, restaurants, clubs or cultural events.
RUSSIA
Moscow city authorities on June 16 ordered all workers with public-facing roles to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Companies were given a month to ensure at least 60% of staff had received first doses, or face fines or temporary closure.
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 July 19.
SAUDI ARABIA
In May, Saudi Arabia mandated that 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 government, private, or education establishments and to use public transport as of Aug. 1.
Saudi citizens will need two doses before they can travel outside the kingdom from Aug. 9, state news agency SPA reported on July 19.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka announced on Aug. 13 that citizens would require vaccination cards to travel between provinces and in public spaces as of Sept. 15, according to https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/sri-lanka-to-make-covid-19-vaccine-certificates-mandatory-from-sept-15-121081301866_1.html Business Standard.
SWITZERLAND
Swiss people will need to show a COVID-status certificate to enter bars, restaurants and fitness centres in Switzerland from Sept. 13, the government ordered on Sept. 8. The Swiss COVID certificate provides proof of vaccination, recovery from infection or a negative test result.
TURKEY
Turkey will begin requiring negative COVID-19 test results and proofs of vaccination for some sectors, including from teachers as schools reopen in September and for domestic travel, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Aug. 19.
As of Sept. 6, a negative PCR test is mandatory for those who have not been vaccinated, or not recovered from the virus, to enter concerts, cinemas and theatres, Turkey’s Interior Ministry said on Aug. 21, Anadolu News Agency reported https://bit.ly/3tiH6aN.
TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan is making vaccination mandatory for all residents aged 18 and over.
(Compiled by Oben Mumcuoglu, Dagmarah Mackos and Paulina Cwikowska; editing by Anna Pruchnicka and Lisa Shumaker)
