Businesses urge residents to get jabs

By PETER ESILA
BUSINESSES in Goroka want to see more people get the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine as it is the most effective way to get on top the pandemic.
Goroka Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Chris Anders said they wanted to see a bigger effort put into vaccinating people because many countries had proved that vaccination was the only way to control the pandemic.
“We held a chamber of commerce meeting today (yesterday) and I would say that the majority of the business community supports the two-week lockdown in the province to stem the tide of Covid-19 cases,” he said.
“It is important that the (Eastern Highlands) provincial health authority set up vaccination hubs in the districts as soon as possible.
“All healthcare workers should be vaccinated otherwise they should stay away from work.
“It time for elected leaders to step up and support the vaccination programme.
“Compulsory vaccination for people in the workforce should be debated in Parliament.
“PNG should take note of what countries like Fiji and the Solomon Islands have achieved as a result of their leaders taking a strong stand on vaccination.
“Businesses want to provide a safe place of work for their employees, and the only way to do that is by making vaccination compulsory.
“The country needs leadership on this.”