VACCINE MANDATE GOES INTO EFFECT TOMORROW

We begin with news that Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne has welcomed the about-turn by the country’s two major trade unions regarding their instructions for its members in the essential services.
The Antigua Trades and Labour Union and the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union had initially asked all workers to stay home tomorrow when the government’s mandatory vaccination takes effect.
However, the unions have back-tracked and have asked the workers governed by the Essential Services Act Number 9 of 2008 to report for work as usual.
The latest instruction from the unions is for the vaccinated workers in the essential services to turn up for work, while unvaccinated workers should stay home as required by the government’s vaccine mandate.
Meanwhile, speaking on his weekly radio programme on Saturday, Prime Minister Browne had indicated the mandate will move forward despite initial pushback from the country’s trade unions.
Our lead story this evening is from Raghib Apparicio.