74.1% of Brunei's population complete vaccination schedule as govt warn employers who force employees to work in office

Image from Borneo Bulletin/ANN

BANDAR SRI BEGAWAN, Nov 20 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): A total of 318,681 individuals, or 74.1 per cent of the populace, have been fully vaccinated, while 397,298 individuals (92.4 per cent) have received their first dose of the vaccine under the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme as of November 18.

The numbers were revealed by Brunei Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar at the daily press conference in the capital.

He also revealed that “November 18 saw 8,701 individuals inoculated against Covid-19.

“Among them 2,638 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17.”

Menawhile, Employees, who are being forced to show up in the workplace despite not having completed their Covid-19 vaccination schedule, can file a police report against their employers, said Dr Mohd Isham.

During the Transition Phase, only oil and gas sector employees, farmers and those working at isolated construction sites can perform their duties in spite of their incomplete vaccination status.

“However, for construction workers who are not fully vaccinated, work is limited to areas that are not public spaces or private residences,” he added.

Dr Mohd Isham also urged business operators to only allow entry to fully vaccinated individuals, including foreigners who were inoculated overseas and have the supporting document such as a vaccination certificate from the issuing country.

With regard to whether a company has the right to insist a fully vaccinated expectant mother plagued by pregnancy-related health issues goes to work, the minister said, “Fully vaccinated expectant mothers can go to work. However, if the employer allows them to work from home due to issues relating to their pregnancies, it is welcomed.”

Meanwhile, Brunei confirmed 70 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, including 2 imported cases, with two new clusters involving 32 cases and this brings the the total number of cases to 14,514.

There are 15 additional new cases to 4 of the existing active clusters who was previously a close contact with several positive cases.

Both new clusters are accommodation clusters, including a worker dormitory.- Borneo Bulletin/ANN