Coronavirus: Day’s holiday to get jab now official

The latest decree of the health minister was published Monday, affording coronavirus vaccinees the entitlement to take the entire day off from work on the day they get the jab, without that day counting towards their yearly leave quota.

It applies to all workers in the broader public sector (including municipalities and semi-governmental organisations) as well as the private sector. To benefit for the entitlement, one must present their vaccination certificate.

Where the vaccination in question involves receiving two doses, the entitlement extends to the two days in question.

Where a parent/guardian escorts a minor for the latter’s vaccination, the parent/guardian is likewise entitled to take the day (or days) off from work.

The decree notes that up until July 3, 65.2 per cent of the eligible population received the first dose of a covid vaccine, while 52.4 per cent completed their vaccination regimen.

It states that 2,923 cases of the coronavirus were tracked between June 28 and July 4, “the average number of patients daily ranged from 50 to 70, and during the aforementioned period one patient death was recorded attributable to Covid-19…and the positivity rate…fluctuated around 1 per cent…”

Having been published in the government gazette, the decree has immediate effect.