Nearly 60,000 Australians in one week have signed a petition against a state-wide vaccination deadline for educators in New South Wales (NSW) by Nov. 8.
In late August, the state government released its plan to see a staggered return of students to classrooms from kindergarten and Year One on Oct. 25 to all students by November.
“We believe this is not only unlawful but unconstitutional,” it read. “People should be able to choose what medical procedures and interventions they have without the risk of losing their job.”
“We ask all parents and teachers who are concerned with these mandates to sign this petition and protect the basic human right to freedom of choice.”
As of this week, NSW Health will begin providing priority vaccination for educators.
“A recent survey of the public-school workforce indicated the majority of staff already had at least one dose of a vaccine.”
The federal and state governments (NSW and Victoria) are pinning their hopes on improving vaccination rates as a means to control the spread of COVID-19, and move the country away from relying on harsh lockdown measures and restrictions.
The country is currently in Phase A and is working towards vaccinating 70 percent of the population. This will trigger Phase B, which will see stay-at-home orders and restrictions largely removed around the country.
Once vaccination levels hit 80 percent, Phase C will be triggered, which will see the government open up international travel and “highly targeted” lockdowns in use only.