Civil Service should be 100% vaccinated

Speaking at the special meeting of the Parliament on Tuesday in which two important Bills were being debated to introduce Covid vaccinations to a variety of people, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said he felt the civil service should follow the private sector in this regard. Mr Manderson felt that all new civil servants on work permits and those renewing work permits should have to be vaccinated; however he felt that the entire civil service, especially frontline workers, should be vaccinated, ex-pat or Caymanian.

Mr Manderson conceded that not enough Caymanian frontline workers who interacted with the public were vaccinated, putting themselves, their families and the public at serious risk.

The fact that some people in frontline agencies such as Customs and Border Control and Travel Cayman who deal with Covid positive people were not vaccinated was of concern to the Deputy Governor. The vaccination numbers were low, he said.

“One of my greatest fears from March last year…and today, knowing that a large number of public servants are dealing with Covid positive persons, get sick and God forbid die,” he stated. “But I believe if we don’t see a change in persons’ attitude we can see that happen.”

Mr Manderson begged all civil servants to get vaccinated.

“I implore, encourage, beg civil servants, especially those on the frontline to do the right thing and get vaccinated,” he stated.

He went on to say: “I think the civil service should lead in this area. Civil servants, except those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical grounds, should be 100% vaccinated. Seventy percent is not good enough. We strive for 100% in everything else we do. It’s life-saving.”