Chandigarh, September 10
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh announced on Friday that state government employees failing to take even the first dose of Covid vaccine for any reason other than medical will be compulsorily sent on leave after September 15.
This strong measure, an official statement said, was announced by Capt Amarinder to protect the people of the state from the disease, and to ensure that those who are vaccinated do not have to pay the price for continued vaccine hesitancy of those who are not.
At the high-level virtual Covid review meeting held on Friday, the Chief Minister said vaccine effectiveness is evident from the data being analysed.
Special efforts were taken to reach out to government employees, and those who continue to avoid getting vaccinated will now be asked to go on leave till they get the first dose, he said.
Captain Amarinder also allowed teaching and non-teaching school staff, who had taken at least one dose of vaccine more than four weeks ago, to resume duties, subject to the submission of weekly negative RTPCR test reports. However, all those with co-morbidities shall only be allowed once they are fully vaccinated, he added.
Noting that the state had already vaccinated more than 57% of the eligible population, with the first dose administered to 1.18 crore and second to 37.81 lakh people, the Chief Minister ordered further intensification of the vaccination drive. Teachers, parents of young children and vendors should be given priority for inoculation, he directed.
Government employees to be sent on compulsory leave if not vaccinated: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh
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