Mark McGowan announces COVID-19 vaccinations policy mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for more than half of WA’s workforce.

The roadmap towards open borders has become clearer today with Mark McGowan announcing mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for approximately 60% of WA’s workforce.

Based on the latest health advice, a new overarching workforce vaccination policy – with a phased approach will cover a majority of occupations and workforces within WA.

In a statement on Mark McGowan’s Facebook page;

“WA needs to be prepared for community transmission – and this policy is critical to allow our State to maintain services, and allow businesses to continue operating safely in the long term.”

“Mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for more than half of WA’s workforce sets out a safe and clear framework for industries and workers, based on our expert health advice. This phased approach is safe and proportionate to the risk of COVID-19 in our community.”

Under this developed phased approach, two key groups of workforces will be subject to mandatory vaccination by a certain date. The third group will require to be vaccinated in the event of a lockdown, which would then result in approximately 75% of WA’s workforce being vaccinated.

Group 1: First dose by 1 December 2021 and fully vaccinated by 31 December 2021

• Industries determined to have high transmission risk, or are a vulnerability risk or are necessary or critical to the safety of the community
• A number of these industries have been announced previously and are currently in the process of implementation

Group 2: First dose by 31 December 2021 and fully vaccinated by 31 January 2022

• Industries and workforce deemed critical to ongoing delivery of business and the function of the community
• Mandating requirement in place to ensure the continuity of key services and businesses in the event of expected community transmission

Lockdown – Must be fully vaccinated to attend work during a lockdown or similar restrictions:

• These critical workers must be fully vaccinated to leave home to attend work, to decrease transmission risk and prevent impact on the delivery of services.

Groups 1 and 2 of industries represent approximately 60% of WA’s workforce. With the addition of the lockdown group, approximately 75% of the WA workforce is covered by these categories.

For further information and details on occupations within each group visit wa.gov.au.

Watch: WA Premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Roger Cook with a COVID-19 vaccination update.

Further Perth news on SoPerth.com.au.

Feature image: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright