Qantas says make jabs mandatory for aviation workers

Qantas has called on all states to make COVID vaccines mandatory for aviation workers in Australia. The business said on Wednesday that while it’s encouraging NSW and SA have made jabs a requirement for international aviation employees, a national approach is needed to avoid a “patchwork of rules between the borders”. It comes after a survey by the TWU earlier this month found that just one-third of aviation workers had been fully innoculated with two doses. “Ever since a COVID-19 vaccine was approved the Qantas Group has strongly encouraged our people to get vaccinated and are offering paid time off to get the jab,” said the airline. “We’ve also lobbied government for priority access to the vaccine for aviation workers. We’ve done this not just because vaccinations are the only way to end the cycle of lockdowns and border closures, but because they are proven to be one of the strongest layers of protection against the potentially serious heath impact of this virus. While all the data shows that the risk of COVID transmission onboard aircraft remains very low, and there are many safeguards at airports, nothing reduces the risk to health like the vaccines approved for use in Australia. That’s critical for our frontline teams, who come into contact with thousands of people each day."<br/>