A local government in China has banned unvaccinated Chinese residents from entering public venues such as shopping malls, public transport stations, and supermarkets.
Meanwhile, public servants across the region will also have their salaries suspended or be denied work for not getting vaccinated, the government notice said.
According to a July 13 government report in Tanghe, a county located in landlocked Henan Province, only proof of vaccination or contraindication to vaccination will grant a citizen access to local public places including public transportation.
Meanwhile, employees or contractors who do not get vaccinated, will not be paid, nor be allowed to work, said an official notice on vaccination promotion, issued by Tanghe Command Center for COVID-19 Control and Prevention on Wednesday.
The new rule applied to every public servant across the county that meets the conditions of vaccination, including temporary workers and retired staff, all of whom will be reminded by home visits or phone calls.
“[Each department should] ensure that no one is left out,” the document said.
According to the announcement, from July 26, people who have not been vaccinated “are not allowed to enter key public places such as agencies, enterprises, schools, medical institutions, transportation stations, shopping malls, and supermarkets.”
A notice on July 12 from the city of Ruijin in Jiangxi Province said eligible workers—including their relatives within three generations—would need to complete their vaccination within a limited time.
The official account of Ruijin Radio & TV Station said the following day on WeChat, the largest social media platform in China, that anyone over 18 should complete the first dose of vaccination by July 25 and the second dose by August 25.
Psychological Campaign
On July 16, Tanghe Converged Media Center reported that authorities had launched a psychological campaign to sweep away the unvaccinated.The aim is to create a mood among the public that “vaccination proves patriotism,” leaving those without vaccination in a dilemma, local authorities said.
Propaganda efforts include posting slogans, broadcasting by LED displays and loudspeakers, and publicity vehicles are making circuits around towns and villages.
“[We have] created a strong atmosphere that people over 18 years of age should be vaccinated as much as possible and that it is difficult to walk a step without vaccination,” announced by Tanghe CBD Management Committee on Friday, claiming that the local vaccination rate for adults aged 18 and older has reached 76 percent.
