The Antigua and Barbuda government says it will contemplate a mandatory policy of vaccination only if herd immunity cannot be achieved through other means within a fixed timeframe.
A statement issued following the weekly Cabinet meeting noted that discussions had taken place about the pace at which the vaccination of the population is proceeding, and agreed that to achieve herd immunity, more residents and citizens must offer themselves to be vaccinated.
Last weekend, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told radio listeners of the possibility of implementing a mandatory vaccination program in Antigua and Barbuda as he criticized persons who were encouraging others not to participate in the national vaccination program aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“This is not a threat,” Browne said, adding that the pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the socio-economic development of the island since the first case was diagnosed last March.
In the statement, the government said it would go further and agreed upon several incentives, including offering EC$50 food vouchers to every adult who steps forward to be vaccinated, and who brings others to the centers to receive their jabs.
“Although more than 30,000 adult residents and citizens have stepped forward and have been vaccinated thus far, an additional 40,000 adults need to be vaccinated before herd immunity can be said to be achieved.”
The statement also noted that discussions were held with the officials of the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) where the assurance was sought by Cabinet whether, like other Hotels Associations in the Caribbean, the ABHTA would have a voluntary or mandatory policy regarding vaccination and employment at the hotels.
“The officials did reveal that many North Americans making bookings for the upcoming season, inquired whether the hotels’ employees were vaccinated. The Cabinet concluded that there is a strong desire by the travelling public to ensure that the persons with whom they must interact at the hotels are safely vaccinated and not likely to make them ill or to infect them.”
The Cabinet said that it will extend similar Invitations to the Employers Federation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Trade Union Congress, and other employee/employer groups, “in order to seek consensus on the vaccination policy.
“A mandatory policy of vaccination is contemplated by the administration only if herd immunity cannot be achieved through other means within a fixed timeframe,” the statement said, noting that the government had also agreed to relax the allowing for recreational sports to take place.
In addition, the government said a public health protection policy is being “articulated, vaccination being the most important element.
“The protocols established thus far, which have kept the population largely healthy, is another element of this policy,” it said.
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no curfew for those fully vaccinated. No quarantine for those fully vaccinated. no mask requirement for fully vaccinated. Increased penalties for unvaccinated
A bucket of KFC just might work!
This is bare bullshit. How they gonna inquire if they are vaccinated to not get sick by the virus and them still can get sick even if they take the so call jab??? What shit yall really trying to say.
It protects 100% against death, serious illness and need for hospitalizations.
That is a major difference and assurance. Yes you MAY still get it, but it should be mild. They can come on vacation knowing their corpse won’t be sent back home from Covid.
Fair inquiry.
So, the hotel workers must be vaccinated right? Are the tourists going to face a mandatory vaccination also? Because if tourists are being vaccinated prior to coming, then they wouldn’t need to fret simply because they’re covered by the blanket of their vaccination.. they should be immune to sever illness and death… so if they’re protected, why are they scared? Afterall, the unvaccinated should be the ones that stray far from the vaccinated… because the unvaccinated is most vulnerable and the vaccinated are still spreaders of the said virus.. so please… The misinformation is obviously coming from the top!!!
It is obvious that one of the strategies being used by the government is to suggest that the “unvaccinated” are potential “asymptomatic carriers” and therefore represent a public health risk. But once again, the science is showing that it is in fact the “vaccinated” who continue to test positive and fall ill.
The “vaccinated” should not feel terrified of the “unvaccinated” since their immune system has been boosted.
don’t know where you are getting your “science” from? A cornflakes box? Certainly not the CDC which strongly recommends vaccination
His science is absolutely correct. In the UK there are more hospitalized people that are fully vaccinated than the unvaccinated. And the theory YES THEORY that asymptomatic people are spreading the virus has been debunked… ie proven not to be true. Just because the CDC wants people to be vaccinated means what exactly? Do you have any idea who funds the CDC? Maybe if you knew that many drug companies including those that make vaccines contribute $$$ to the CDC you would understand why they are pushing vaccines. # followthemoney
I will not return with my family to visit my family in Antigua until it is safe. We come every year but it is too dangerous if people ignore the vaccine. I want to see my elderly family but if people refuse the vaccine we cannot visit,
The probability of dying from a plane crash, motor vehicular accident, heart attack or stroke is much greater than dying from covid, which has a recovery rate of almost 99%.
Why are people ignoring the science and continue to listen to politicians?
I agree with Nathan.
As somebody who resides in a country were there are 150,000 extra deaths in the last year we shall not be vacationing abroad until that country shows it has ‘herd’ immunity.
We will return to the Caribbean.
The choice is yours.
Where was the incentives when people lost their jobs? Nothing has been said but now they want to give incentives thats like when a parent forsake their children and when them get big the parent coming around showing up, we will not take no bribe or incentives for an emergency use vaccine.
The leaders need to stop lying talking about hotel guest inquiring about if locals are vaccinated, they were coming before and will come after, if the tourist are vaccinated they are protected no need to worry, about the locals our leaders choose tourist over locals from ever since dont be concerned about if the locals are affected now.
I think the best way to get the people vaccinated is for our leaders in government to resign, we need a new breed of people who are God fearing and not luciferan and we will get the wisdom of God to address these issues.
Alot of the politicians, scientists and pastors are sellout, I use to listen to some pastors before covid who talks about God but now Vaccine has become their God they help spread the fear and division among the people.
One International day of prayer and fasting before covid then they get quiet, he that knoweth the right a doeth wrong shall be beaten with many stripes.
Time to arise people there is more with us than with them, free your mind from fear no more time to wonder in the wilderness but to conquer the pharoh spirits who seeks to keep the people in bondage
Netherlands doctors tell truth about Covid – “This is a regular flu”
https://rumble.com/vaqkhd-netherlands-doctors-tell-truth-about-covid-this-is-a-regular-flu.html
A country that have more covid cases than our entire population tourist is afraid to visit our shores?
I would be more afraid to stay in the country where the percentage is higher, i believe 2 commentators are residents here talking about would not be visiting Antigua if people are not vaccinated here, maybe their comments are for cheap vaccinated points
Maybe traitor dictator tyrant Gaston Browne and the rest of his cronies should offer to step down from govt if people got the jab.
His science is absolutely correct. In the UK there are more hospitalized people that are fully vaccinated than the unvaccinated. And the theory YES THEORY that asymptomatic people are spreading the virus has been debunked… ie proven not to be true. Just because the CDC wants people to be vaccinated means what exactly? Do you have any idea who funds the CDC? Maybe if you knew that many drug companies including those that make vaccines contribute $$$ to the CDC you would understand why they are pushing vaccines. #followthemoney.
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