Failure to comply will prohibit employees from accessing their workplace
Government workers and teachers in Delhi have been given until the end of the week to get at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines or they will be put on leave.
"All government employees working in departments, autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings, local bodies, and educational institutions under the Delhi government, including frontline workers, healthcare workers, as well as teachers and other staff working in schools and colleges, should get vaccinated (at least first dose) by October 15," the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said in an order.
The authority warned that those who fail to comply by October 16 will not be accommodated in their offices and will be placed "on leave" until they get their first vaccine dose. Employers can verify their workers vaccination status using the Aarogya Setu application or by asking for a certificate of vaccination from their employee. The order is another step towards the capital territory's goal of having 100% of their workforce vaccinated against COVID-19.
Read more: Can you force employees to take the vaccine?
Most employee associations have welcomed the decision, according to a report from the Times of India. Meanwhile, the Delhi government is also calling on private schools to implement similar mandates to their teaching and non-teaching staff.
"The Directorate of Education has asked all private schools to ensure that all teachers and school staff including transportation staff who have not received vaccination so far be vaccinated by October 15," a senior officer from the government said as quoted by The Economic Times.
Staff who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 16 will also be prohibited from accessing schools and put on leave.
