Queensland Surf Life Savers mandate Covid vaccinations

All Queensland surf life savers staff and volunteers aged over 16 will be forced to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by March or be taken off patrol and placed on ‘restricted duties’.

All Queensland surf life savers will be forced to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by March or taken off patrol and placed on ‘restricted duties’.

Surf Life Saving Queensland issued the jab mandate on Friday.

It follows an SLSQ board meeting to discuss the Palaszczuk Government’s latest Covid-19 roadmap.

The body says that with visitors to all surf clubs having to be double-jabbed when the Queensland border reopens on December 17, the SLSQ board resolved to act.

It says all surf club staff and volunteers over 16 will have to be fully vaccinated by March 31 and show proof of their status.

Vaccinations will be mandatory for all surf life savers from March.

Surf Life Saving Queensland CEO, Dave Whimpey, said the organisation has a duty of care to keep all staff, volunteers and members of the public safe.

“We are taking this step to actively protect all those involved in the lifesaving community, and align with the Queensland Government’s Roadmap,” Mr Whimpey said.

“A number of factors were considered when we made this decision, and we acknowledge that some staff and volunteers may disagree.

“Accordingly, we respect an individual’s decision, and should they choose not to be fully vaccinated, they will be placed on restricted duties and unable to participate.

“Ultimately, we have to ensure the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and any other third parties who have interactions with SLSQ which is why we have made this decision.

“SLSQ recognises that if advice from the Queensland Government changes over the coming months, this requirement will be reviewed by the SLSQ Board of Directors.”