On Friday, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has announced that government employees who fail to take even the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine for any reason other than medical reasons, will be compulsorily sent on leave after September 15. The step has been taken to increase the vaccination rate in the state.
This strong step is announced in order to ensure that vaccinated people do not pay the price for continued delay in getting vaccinated of those who have not taken their shots yet.
On Friday, in a high-level virtual Covid-19 review meeting, the chief minister said, "vaccine's effectiveness is evident from the data that is being analysed. Special efforts are 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."
Singh also announced, "teaching and non-teaching school staff who had taken at least one dose of vaccine more than four weeks ago are allowed to resume their duties. Joining of the duty is subjected to submission of weekly RTPCR negative test reports. However, all those with co-morbidities shall only be allowed once they are fully vaccinated."