Covid-19: HPA announces restrictions for unvaccinated people

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced restrictions for unvaccinated people in its push to encourage more to get their jabs.

While the government has ensure that the country has received enough doses to vaccinate the entire eligible population, it plans to vaccinate 90 percent by the end of August.

According to a notice issued by HPA on Saturday, these will come into effect from September 1. As such, unvaccinated people will not be allowed to dine in cafes and restaurants from next month, as well as use public transport systems. They are to also be barred from gyms and salons. Restrictions are to be imposed to unvaccinated office employees and other service providers as well.

Further, unvaccinated people are to be banned from domestic air travel.

HPA said that the purpose of this is to encourage vaccination and curb the spread of the virus.

While the country has acquired enough doses to vaccinate the eligible population, the AstraZeneca vaccine will expire in November, hence authorities will stop giving the first dose of this vaccine by September 1 so that the second dose can be administered before it expires.

The incumbent administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” inoculation drive on February 1 and recently the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) revealed that they are now in the final stages of the campaign.

While HEOC in July revealed that 21 percent of the population was yet to receive a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, it expressed concern over the recent low turnout at vaccination centers. 40 percent of the population is yet to receive the second dose.

Authorities recently announced a number of eases to Covid-19 restrictions including allowing the resumption normal services for businesses.