‘Disgusting’: Fury over Australian bar’s vaccination stamp

When a woman walked into a Perth bar, she didn’t expect to have her vaccination status marked on her arm in a move that’s been slammed as an “embarrassing disgrace”. So why did they do it?

When a journalist covering the election campaign trail stopped for a visit at a bar in Perth this week, she didn’t expect the unusual greeting she received.

Jennifer Bechwati, political reporter at 7 News, took to Twitter to show a rather unusual inking – a stamp confirming her vaccination status had been checked at The Reveley Bar.

Alongside an image of the stamp she wrote: “‘Vax checked’. Stamped as we entered a bar in Perth.”

The vax stamp image sparked a storm of outrage on social media with many arguing that it’s a step too far. Among the vocal critics was Western Australian Senate Candidate for the Liberal Democrats Kate Fantinel, who said: “I apologise on behalf of Western Australia”.

The sentiment was shared by Sky News host Chris Kenny who said it’s a disgrace the journalists had to prove vaccination status on arrival in Perth and get “vax checked” stamped on their wrists.

“That is Perth, Western Australia, in 2022,” Mr Kenny said.

“One country we are, 95 per cent or more vaccinated and this sort of draconian nonsense is still being enforced by state governments.

“What a crying shame … what a disgrace.”

A picture of the vaccination stamp. Picture: Jennifer Bechwati

I apologise on behalf of Western Australia https://t.co/CJkcCRe6iJ

— Kate FANTINEL 🌸 Lady Liberty (@ladylibertyWAus) April 18, 2022

“Disgusting move WA” one wrote, and another said “what a disgrace”.

While twitter user Ben said: “This sort of thing is only done by people who have never learned anything about history.”

While Tanny wrote: “You turn around and walk out. That’s what you do. You don’t play along with it. We’re not livestock to be branded. Or are we?”

Michelle wrote: “This sux! I hate what Australia has become!”

Another said: “Thanks for letting me know where not to go.”

Others called it “creepy”, “sick” “inappropriate” and “insane”.

More and more embarrassed to come from wa

— Andrew white (@Andrewwhite74) April 18, 2022

pic.twitter.com/dKvOjXd2xo

— Steven Chagas (@StevenChagas) April 18, 2022

Some social media users said it appeared to be quite the dystopian move and indicated that we are no longer living in a free country.

Totally normal and not the least bit dystopian.

— Chad Kelly 🇦🇺 - Vote 1 Lib Dems (@neguzma) April 18, 2022

Because people were following orders... pic.twitter.com/s2NBMswNvq

— Anton Pretorius (@AntonPretorius1) April 18, 2022

You were literally stamped to confirm you were vaccinated…who would come up with this or support it?

— Calli 🌸 (@calliredman43) April 18, 2022

Even Australian lawyer and columnist Caroline Di Russo from Sky News had a dig, saying “I’m sorry we’re such bed wetting paddlers”.

I’m sorry we’re such bed wetting paddlers 🙈

— Caroline Di Russo (@CaroDiRusso) April 18, 2022

There was outrage over the vaccination stamp. Picture: Twitter

More fury. Picture: Twitter

But not everyone was outraged, some thought it was actually not that big of a deal.

User Simon said: “You’ve never been stamped before entering a licensed premise? Used to be a badge of honour on the morning after, also a reminder of where you’d been.”

The Reveley Bar told news.com.au it’s not their choice to do the vaccination check process.

“We are required, by law, to only allow fully vaccinated patrons into our venues and face huge fines if we do not undertake this check,” a spokesperson for the bar said.

“So we check the vaccination status and then use a stamp so that we don’t have to ask patrons multiple times to show us confirmation of vaccination.

“It is something we have to do, not something we choose to do.”

Originally published as ‘Disgusting’: Fury over Australian bar’s vaccination stamp