New Zealand’s Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker says the Government is considering if “higher levels of compulsion” are necessary to ensure port workers get vaccinated.
Mr. Parker told local media that it was “not OK” only 45% of port workers had been vaccinated. For this reason, the country is considering if there should be higher levels of compulsion or mandatory vaccinations for some people who are most at work, at the ports.
This development, comes after comments made by Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins, saying that he was “not even close” to being satisfied with the rate of port worker vaccination.
Mr. Parker’s words come in the wake of two international mariners testing positive for Covid-19 recently.
The seafarers had arrived in Auckland with nine others and were transported in a minibus to New Plymouth to board deep sea fishing vessel.
Now, news emerged more crew members aboard the ship have Covid-19 symptoms, with the Ports of Auckland offering the vessel quarantine anchorage.