State backflips on Covid vaccine mandate for two major sectors

A huge change has been made to one state’s Covid-19 vaccine mandates for two sectors in particular.

South Australian public transport and education workers will no longer need to be vaccinated to work in the field, under newly eased Covid-19 restrictions.

Under changes which will come into effect as of midnight on Wednesday night, the vaccination mandate for those industries will cease.

Employees who are not double jabbed will need to undertake daily rapid antigen testing, must wear a mask at all times while indoors and won't be allowed into some high-risk education settings.

Prior to the eased rules, those who worked in the sectors were told they needed to be fully vaccinated or faced losing their jobs or being temporarily stood down.

Thousands of teachers and passenger transport drivers – including those who work on buses, trains, trams, taxis and ride share – flocked to vaccine clinics when the mandates took place so they could continue working.

Public transport workers no longer need to be fully vaccinated to retain their jobs, with the mandate for the sector being revoked. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The mandate for school teachers and staff will also cease as of midnight on Wednesday night. Picture: Supplied/iStock

Police Commission Grant Stevens, who announced the changes on Wednesday afternoon, said authorities continually reviewed the need of the mandates and always intended they would be replaced with other more sustainable, long term measures.

The state’s top cop, who is also the State Coordinator that writes laws under the Emergency Management Act, said the changes came from conversations with industry representatives.

“The mandate was put in place so we could implement quick and effective changes that saw staff in critical sectors being vaccinated as quickly as possible and getting those vaccinations rates up to a high standard,” he said.

“That's been achieved.

“We are working with representatives of (other sectors) to ensure the’re doing a constant review of the need for the mandate in place … that work is ongoing.”

Four weeks ago, Commissioner Stevens revoked the vaccine mandate for SA Police employees.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens announced the vaccine mandate changes on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier said she didn't believe the rule changes would undermine her message to parents to get their children vaccinated.

“We are using different risk mitigation. We have higher rates of vaccination across our whole society,” she said.

“The reality is the emergency management declaration isn’t indefinite so we have to be looking at other tools, and that’s why we’re moving to a CEO directive.”

Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier said she didn't believe the rule changes would undermine her message to parents to get their children vaccinated. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Education Department chief Rick Persse said the “overwhelming majority” of staff complied with the vaccine mandate, but about 200 employees who chose not to get the jab could come return to work from Thursday.

He said the department would supply masks and RAT kits to its staff.

“We are very pro vaccination amongst our staff and student because it keeps people safe so we’ll do everything possible to make sure vaccination is available, easy to get and will continue to advocate for it,” Mr Persse said.

Originally published as State backflips on Covid vaccine mandate for two major sectors