Antigua and Barbuda has announced a new and stringent vaccination policy, as the Gaston Browne administration tries to curb the spread of Covid-19.

From October 1st, all public sector employees in Antigua and Barbuda who are unvaccinated will be sent home without pay until they can present a vaccination card. No salary or wage will be paid for non-compliant employees.

See the full policy below:

• All Unvaccinated Public Sector Employees, inclusive of Statutory Corporations and companies of which the government holds majority shares shall be required to remain at home until proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
• As of 1st October, 2021, No Public Sector Employees, inclusive of Statutory Corporations and companies of which the government holds majority shares shall be paid a salary or wage for the period of non-compliance with the current policy;
• All officers and support staff of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force are required to be vaccinated, effective 1st October 2021;
• Trade Unions and Employee Associations shall be permitted to conduct educational awareness sessions via virtual and face-to-face engagements. All Covid-19 protocols shall be strictly observed;
• All eligible students and teachers shall be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to return to face to face classes;
• All pre-school and primary school teachers shall be required to be fully vaccinated before returning to face-to-face classes;
• All caregivers and support staff are required to be fully vaccinated to provide services at elderly care facilities;
• All arriving passengers including returning nationals and residents are required to have received at least the first dose of a vaccine approved by the appropriate authorities in Antigua and Barbuda;
• informal/public gatherings to be restricted to members of the same household;
• beaches to be closed between 12 noon and 5:am daily commencing 20th September, 2021;
• Bus drivers, conductors and taxi drivers are required to be vaccinated effective 1st October, 2021;
• Failure to comply with the current policy will result in restrictions to operate;
• All pleasure craft fetes, parties and entertainment events and excursions around the coastal waters and offshore islands are suspended with effect from 18th September until 29th September, 2021. Thereafter, only authorized excursion will permitted by the appropriate authorities;
• All Vendors, merchants and service providers and staff operating at the ports of entry are required to be vaccinated;

The Appropriate Authority may exempt the following:

• persons submitting a medical certificate approved by the Chief Medical Officer or Medical Board or a request approved on religious grounds
• Authorized Remote Workers (Public Sector, Statutory Corporations and companies with majority government ownership) between 20th September and 1st October, 2021.
• All persons exempted under this policy are required to produce a negative Covid-19 test twice monthly;
• Minor children (below 18 years of age) arriving at a port of entry in Antigua and Barbuda;
Given the overwhelming epidemiological situation at this time employees of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre and Community Clinics are exempt from this policy for this period;