COVID-19 NSW: Northern Beaches Council considering mandatory staff jabs

If approved, all 1800 permanent, casual and contracted staff would have to be vaccinated by December 1, unless medical or exceptional circumstances apply.

While the NSW Government is pushing for people to be vaccinated, there are no rules requiring local government staff to get the jab.

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The Northern Beaches Review understands that 88 per cent of council staff have had one or two COVID vaccinations. Where the Public Health Orders require people to be fully vaccinated in order to be on a premises, such as aquatic centres, libraries and customer services centres, all staff working in those venues are fully vaccinated.

Although NBR heard talk that some council workers were delaying vaccinations, Council CEO Ray Brownlee said the overriding principle on staff vaccinations is the health and safety of employees and the wider community.

"That's why we have been encouraging staff to be vaccinated, and even provided opportunities for them to do so," he said.

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"We know the northern beaches community has got behind vaccinations and this is mirrored by the uptake in our staff.

"Our staff COVID-19 Vaccination Policy is currently under consultation with staff and I look forward to their feedback."

NSW Health data to October 10 (the latest available) shows that 87.2 per cent of the LGA is fully vaccinated, and 94.8 per cent have received their first dose.

READ ALSO: Council rules relaxed to help businesses reopen after lockdown

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