In an Australian first, manufacturer SPC will mandate that all of its staff must be fully vaccinated by the end of November to enter any location

It’s a leaf out of the U.S book, following big tech companies allowing only vaccinated employees into US Offices.

Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Facebook Inc. said on Wednesday all U.S. employees must get vaccinated to step into offices. Google is also planning to expand its vaccination drive to other countries in the coming months

How will SPC vaccinate staff before year-end?

It may seem to be a common trend in the U.S. but this is a first for Australia.

SPC’s said the company recognises the significant threat the COVID-19 Delta variant poses to both the business and the broader Australian community. 

“A fully vaccinated workforce will ensure that SPC can continue to deliver an essential service while helping Australia return to an open economy in line with the Prime Minister’s four-point plan out of COVID,” Australia’s #1 producer of premium packaged fruit said in a statement on Thursday.

All SPC staff, including casual and permanent staff as well as contractors, must have at least the first dose of the vaccine scheduled by September 15 2021, with the first dose administered by the end of October.

Any visitors to an SPC site will also be required to be vaccinated.

SPC Chairman, Hussein Rifai, said lockdowns are not a sustainable solution and the Australian economy needs to open up again.

“The Delta variant poses a significant threat to our people, our customers and the communities we serve. The only path forward for our country is through vaccination,

RIFAI SAID.

Bold new plans to get Aussies vaccinated by Christmas

Australia’s vaccination rollout coordinator has unveiled a bold new strategy that would see 80 per cent of the country’s residents fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by December.

The latest statistics show that 80 per cent of the eligible population could receive both doses by the year’s end, with 70 per cent protected by November.

It comes as the Federal government calls for an elevated level of collaboration and cooperation across the country to increase the speed of the rollout.

Sydney is currently in its sixth week of strict stay-at-home orders – with the state’s premier previously flagging that vaccines may be the only option to bring the Delta variant under control.

It follows the national cabinet meeting to endorse a plan that would see Australia begin to move into a pandemic “consolidation” phase following 80 per cent of the eligible population being vaccinated.

Should companies be mandating vaccines?

“As a Company, we believe it is the right thing to do and we must go further to minimise risk and to protect the people we care about from the Delta variant,” said Rifai. 

“By taking proactive steps now, we are shoring up our Company for the future. We firmly believe that it will be manufacturers and innovators like SPC who will help drive Australia’s post-COVID economic recovery,” Giles said.

All staff will be aided and offered compensation via paid time off when required to receive their vaccinations as well as special paid leave of up to 2 days for any staff who may become unwell after vaccination. 

For those with a pre-existing condition and are unable to receive the vaccine their circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis.