CHENNAI: The state government has started the process of making covid-19 vaccination Mandatory for people going to public places
In a circular to several health officials on Thursday, the Director of Public Health (DPH) asked deputy directors of health services to inform owners and occupants of such places to ensure that all visitors have taken the vaccine. Public places include streets, markets, theatres, other places of entertainment or gatherings, schools, colleges, playgrounds, hotels, boarding houses, rest houses, clubs, factories and shops.
DPH Dr TS Selvavinayagam said, “The Public Health Act empowers the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to make immunization and preventive immunization mandatory.”
Health Minister Ma Subramaniam said: “When people are in public places, their vaccination certificates will be verified by the appropriate authority in that place or building. Vaccinations are everyone’s responsibility, and we want everyone to take them.” .
“I have directed health officials to write to the private sector to ensure that everyone in their premises is vaccinated against COVID-19. Most of the people in government offices have already taken the vaccine.”
Of the more than 6 crore adults in the state, about 1.4 crore people have not even received the first dose and more than 70 lakh people are to be given the second dose of the vaccine.
DPH said that COVID-19 Diseases notified under Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939. The state has also notified certain rules under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987 to contain the outbreak of COVID-19. Earlier, under the provisions of these legislations, all citizens were instructed to wear masks, wash hands, maintain social distancing, and avoid overcrowding to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
The Act empowers health authorities to vacate, seal, impose fines or register cases against those who refuse to comply with the rules. “These should be considered as measures to improve public health administration or safeguard public health,” Dr Selvavinayagam said.
Public health experts say that although the circular is not a binding order, it encourages health officials to use provisions in the Act to increase vaccination numbers.
In a circular to several health officials on Thursday, the Director of Public Health (DPH) asked deputy directors of health services to inform owners and occupants of such places to ensure that all visitors have taken the vaccine. Public places include streets, markets, theatres, other places of entertainment or gatherings, schools, colleges, playgrounds, hotels, boarding houses, rest houses, clubs, factories and shops.
DPH Dr TS Selvavinayagam said, “The Public Health Act empowers the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to make immunization and preventive immunization mandatory.”
Health Minister Ma Subramaniam said: “When people are in public places, their vaccination certificates will be verified by the appropriate authority in that place or building. Vaccinations are everyone’s responsibility, and we want everyone to take them.” .
“I have directed health officials to write to the private sector to ensure that everyone in their premises is vaccinated against COVID-19. Most of the people in government offices have already taken the vaccine.”
Of the more than 6 crore adults in the state, about 1.4 crore people have not even received the first dose and more than 70 lakh people are to be given the second dose of the vaccine.
DPH said that COVID-19 Diseases notified under Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939. The state has also notified certain rules under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987 to contain the outbreak of COVID-19. Earlier, under the provisions of these legislations, all citizens were instructed to wear masks, wash hands, maintain social distancing, and avoid overcrowding to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
The Act empowers health authorities to vacate, seal, impose fines or register cases against those who refuse to comply with the rules. “These should be considered as measures to improve public health administration or safeguard public health,” Dr Selvavinayagam said.
Public health experts say that although the circular is not a binding order, it encourages health officials to use provisions in the Act to increase vaccination numbers.
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