CABINET: Only Rastas will receive religious exemptions

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Minister of Information Melford Nicholas has confirmed that religious exemptions to the mandatory-vaccination policy will be granted only to the Rastafarian sect, continuing a longstanding practice.

For several decades now, Rastafarian children have been exempted from inoculation as a requirement for entering the public-school system.

However, the Browne Administration is encouraging Rastafarians to take the vaccine, rather than place themselves and their families at risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus, hospitalization and, possibly, death.

Cabinet addressed the issue at its October 13 meeting, since scores of public-sector workers reportedly have been requesting exemptions based on religious beliefs, as well as on medical grounds.

With respect to the latter, the policy is that any request for such exemption must be authorized by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or the Medical Board.

Accordingly, doctors have been placed on notice that they face financial penalties and the possible loss of their license to practice medicine if they attempt to provide exemptions for their patients on “flimsy and unsubstantiated grounds.”

This restriction has come in for heavy criticism from members of the public, who hold that no one is better qualified to determine their health status than their own physicians.

“The CMO is not my doctor,” one man tells REAL News.  “How is she going to look at a piece of paper and tell me I am healthy enough to be vaccinated?” he asks.

He notes that people who appeared to be in good physical condition have experienced adverse effects – including stroke and even death – after being vaccinated.  Accordingly, the man says, “Nobody is going to make that decision for me; not even the CMO who don’t know me from Adam!”

Meanwhile, Minister Nicholas says no exemptions will be granted to any adult based on the unavailability of a specific vaccine.  Among those eligible and expected to be vaccinated, he says, are 1,287 tertiary-level students who are 18 years and older.

But some public-sector workers are objecting to what they say amounts to a “decree.”  Having being deprived of their right to choose testing over vaccination, they say the Government is now “exploiting” their compliance by forcing them into taking a drug that is not of their choice.

One teacher says the Administration is “playing mind games with the people.”  To support this assertion, she refers to a statement made by Government Spokesman Lionel “Max” Hurst, last week.

Hurst said, last Monday, that the Browne Administration has correctly read “what it is that the Antigua & Barbuda people will, and can, tolerate.” (REAL NEWS)

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32 COMMENTS

  1. This religious exemption thing is going a little over the top. The word on the street is that MOST Rastas are getting vaccinated anyway, and that’s commendable, just like their dead King and “god” in Ethiopia was himself vaccinated for all sorts of diseases.

  2. These sections of this article got my attention:

    “Meanwhile, Minister Nicholas says no exemptions will be granted to any adult BASED ON THE UNAVAILABILITY OF A SPECIFIC VACCINE”……….

    “But some public-sector workers are objecting to what they say amounts to a “decree.” Having being deprived of their right to choose testing over vaccination, they say the Government is now “exploiting” their compliance by forcing them into taking a drug that is not of their choice”…….

    “One teacher says the Administration is “playing mind games with the people.” To support this assertion, she refers to a statement made by Government Spokesman Lionel “Max” Hurst, last week. Hurst said, last Monday, that THE BROWNE ADMINISTRATION HAS CORRECTLY READ “WHAT IT IS THAT THE ANTIGUA & BARBUDA PEOPLE WILL, AND CAN, TOLERATE.”

    Well, let me repeat AGAIN and I will continue to repeat until the Good Lord take his breath from my body: ENCOURAGE ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO GO AND GET REGISTERED TO VOTE SO THAT WE CAN VOTE THIS A.B.L.P. ADMINISTRATION OUT OF GOVERNMENT.

    No long talk. Get REGISTERED and get your ELECTORS CARD.

    Come Election Day, WE WILL SHOW THIS A.B.L.P. ADMINISTRATION ‘how correctly they have read our will and we will show then which administration we can NO LONGER TOLERATE.

    There are TWO other political parties that have come forward to make their contribution to nation building.

    I DOUBT THAT ANY OF THESE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES WOULD HAVE FORCED PERSONS TO TAKE SOMETHING INTO THEIR BODIES THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE BUT HAD TO TAKE IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR HOUSES, CARS, AVOID FROM STARVING BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO KEEP THEIR JOBS AND TO MEET THEIR OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS.

    LET US NEVER FOR THIS MY PEOPLE.

    In our history there have only been two (2) people/entity that have threatened us with STARVATION (Moody-Stuart and Gaston Browne). NEVER FORGET THAT.

    • Is something wrong with you, so-called “Former ABLP Voter”. Gaston Browne is the people’s choice, the voice of the ordinary people. He and his party will triumph overwhelmingly, again. The opposition simply does not have a winning leader and some really unliked candidates. Get registered and vote ABLP again. We are proud of them, and their dynamic, progressive left leadership.

      • Election coming will tell us if CLOWN GASTON BROWNE is the people’s choice.

        He can run but he will not be able to hide.

        For your information, KING SAUL WAS REALLY LIKE BY THE ISRAELITES.

        Where did that get them (if you can even read)?

        REGISTER TO VOTE my people and let us discard of this A.B.L.P. Administration.

        ANY GOVERNMENT WHO TAKES A WAY THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE FROM ITS PEOPLE IS A DICTATORSHIP.

        While we still can, let us vote the A.B.L.P. OUT OF GOVERNMENT.

        • Look man, you getting silly in your old age. Chuptz. The people have overwhelmingly elected Gaston Browne. Next election his majority will be even larger, a true super majority. God bless the Leader.

          • @Kristi
            After Gaston signed a free zone agreement that didn’t guarantee Antiguans one job. After he agree to give away the proceeds from the sale of passports. After he owes $1billion to the Chinese. After no reliable electricity and water. After we see no improvements in our dirty environment. After we see very little improvements in our roads. The people will overwhelmingly re-elect him? I tell you Antiguans will show they are sheepish fools.

          • You obviously have not looked at the figures from the last General Elections.

            I guess you are God and can see the future.

            Go register to vote my people.

            With the help of God, we will see the back of Gaston.

        • @ Former A.L.P. Voter i hear you and I’ve seen your some of your posts before and are totally with you. IGNORE THAT KRISTI CHARACTER NOTHING SENSIBLE EVER COMES OUT OF HER MOUTH A TOTAL WASTE OF SPACE
          She like some on here Gaston’s lap dogs and ass kissers.
          Yes yes Gaston’s crowning achievement the acquisition of of LIAT.

  3. One question I have is how do we determine who is a rasta? Is there a list of registered rastafarians in Antigua? Is it anyone that carries a dread locks? Just asking.

  4. Am a Christianity I dnt believe in the vaccine my believe its that its the Antichrist the mark of the beast an yet still Christians are been force to take it,so I guest yu all believed in the Ethiopia God rather than the God who giveth life to you 😥😔😟🙁 wo beyond 5o those who troubled the children of God his punishment will be severe.

    • What the hell are you talking about. Christianity is NOT against the vaccine. You are a law unto yourself, totally out of order. You need salvation.

    • I am a christian too and I took the vaccine. Man is the image of god and god gave man knowlege. You need to keep away from cults and come back to the real church.

  5. Revelation 13:10 – He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

  6. Disagree with the government on religious exemptions for a infectious disease. Medical exemption is clear. However we are talking about a virus here that can impact others. To me that danger trumps religious exemption unless those getting it will be placed in some kind of bubble. Medical Exemption must also mean often testing

  7. Well, well,I know Rastafarians are humans as well, let see what happens, if anyone of them should catch the virus.

    Let’s pray and hope that things may work out well…

  8. There are very few REAL Rastas in this country. Very few. Lots of fakars and wannabees, usually misfits and potheads, in many cases spiritually and mentally abused or tainted. Besides, there is nothing in the writings or words of the Rasta god that prohibits vaccinations. Nothing!!!!

  9. The Cabinet has lost its marbles if it had any to begin with. For the Cabinet to say that only Rastafarians are exempted from taking the vaccine on religious grounds is complete nonsense. However, it is not only nonsense it would be unconstitutional. A challenge brought under sections 11 and 14 of the Constitution would be clearly successful. By declaring that only Rastafarians are exempted on religious grounds would be applying the vaccine mandate in a discriminatory manner and therefore unconstitutional. The Cabinet need to get its head examined as quickly as possible. I also find it hard to understand why the other denominations (religious groups) in this country sit back and allow this discriminatory application of the law. God help us in this country.

    • Anybody need a true church and salvation one that stand for truth call 7847075 or 7739707. If you want to get a better understanding of Bible prophecy which we are seeing unfolding before our Very eyes give that number a call. People fight for your freedom but most of all your salvation.

  10. Real Ras Tafari do not want any exemption from Babylon.

    No true Ras Tafari will sign a document to say they are a danger to others.

    No true Ras Tafari will submit to testing.

    There is Ras Tafari and Rastafari they are not the same the latter is the wanna be….

    Ras Tafari never negotiate with Babylon System NEVER, Fire on all Rastafari they must burn

    • Yes, send the FIRE, the Holy Ghost fire!!! He’s a cleanser, a purifier. Burn out the dross. No more nonsense.

    • @Melchesidec…#Ignorance is still Bliss, but what you just wrote is one reason, why the Movement will always be spinning wheels in the mud.
      Pure #rasihness!

  13. Why are rastas exempted from the mandatory vaccine? Don’t they have a body where the Covid virus can use as a host to multiply & be a potential vector of transmission….. The nation has other religious groups. Why are they not exempted….? It sure sounds like discrimination. I am hoping that the cabinet was not intimidated by the leader of the rastas King High Foo……

    • They obviously doing something right. If everything is about ‘data’ then there is your data. Maybe we should be looking to the rastas to find out how they walk among the unbelievers and remain undefiled rather than forcing them to become like everyone else. The same beliefs that foster respect for their bodies and discourage them from taking engineered substances also drive them to respect nature and take time to learn how to apply its many benefits.

  14. So if the unvaccinated decide to turn Rasta overnight, dread locks their hair and start to wear African clothes, will they be exempted?

  15. This is a double standard in my opinion. I never realized that Rastafarian was a religion. They would be exempted from taking the Vaccines. Therefore they would not be able to get Covid-19.My guess Covid-19 would not dare to touch Rastas.

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