Western Australia (WA) Premier Mark McGowan recently declared that the state's vaccine passport mandates could last for years. He made this announcement following an expansion of WA's proof of vaccination requirement, which he dubbed "the broadest in the nation."
McGowan said on Jan. 13 that the restrictions against those who have not been injected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine "will not be removed anytime soon." He added that these could be in place "for years" in an effort to "protect the unvaccinated from themselves."
"Life will become very difficult for the unvaccinated. No pubs, no bottle-shops, no gyms, no yoga classes, no gigs, no dancefloors, no hospital or aged care visits," the WA premier said.
According to McGowan's announcement, the expanded vaccine passport mandates would come into effect at the end of the month moving forward. "Effective Jan. 31, we will be expanding proof of vaccination requirements to a wider range of venues," he said. The premier justified the new requirements as WA has "seen [them] work in other jurisdictions" in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
From the end of January 2022, unvaccinated Australians will be barred from entering medical facilities, food and beverage establishments, entertainment venues and sports and fitness centers. Prior to McGowan's announcement, WA had already mandated proof of vaccination for "higher-risk venues and events" where large numbers of people could congregate such as music festivals.
WA residents aged 16 and older will be required to show digital proof of vaccination via the state's ServiceWA app. A paper version would also be allowed, but should be accompanied with government-issued identification. McGowan clarified that those using the app need not present other supporting documents.
The WA premier's announcement on Jan. 13 followed his promise of a long-term vaccine passport scheme, which he made on Jan. 10. He issued this warning: "If you, for some reason, have not had your first dose [of the COVID-19 vaccine] yet – my advice would be to make a booking today. Otherwise, life is about to get very difficult for you." (Related: Western Australia Premier threatens to create "difficult life" for unvaccinated Aussies.)
Vaccine passports will soon require THREE doses to be valid
McGowan said the expanded vaccine passport measures formed part of a state-wide plan to ensure citizens are "confident in these public settings, and that they are only mixing with other vaccinated people." He added that reserving the use of public places for fully vaccinated people "reduces the risk" coming from their unvaccinated counterparts. According to the premier, those injected with the COVID-19 vaccine are "less likely to be carrying or [be] able to pass on the disease."
The WA leader had strong words for the unvaccinated, which he believes are responsible for "bringing the virus into busy populated settings." He said: "If you choose to remain unvaccinated – you're choosing to put yourself [and] the people around you at risk. You're choosing to put a burden on our health staff."
As of writing, vaccine passports in WA count those who receive two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as fully vaccinated. McGowan however said this will soon change to three – as many are being encouraged to get their booster doses.
"Our expectation is that in order to be fully vaccinated, the Commonwealth [of Australia] rules will say three doses. Once that happens, we will move to the three-dose rule in due course," he said. (Related: Australia expanding definition of "fully vaccinated" to include third covid injection.)
Western Australia is not the only location that plans to adjust its vaccine passport requirement in line with booster shots. Greece also announced a similar measure for its vaccine passports. The country said starting Feb. 1, 2022, those who did not take the COVID-19 vaccine booster seven months after full vaccination will be considered unvaccinated.
Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris announced the new measure on Jan. 9, adding that it will apply to all citizens 18 years old and up. "From Feb. 1, [the vaccine passport] measure will apply to all adults and not only to those aged 60 and over who – while eligible and can – have not received the booster shot," he said.
"The vaccination certificate and the benefits it offers, such as the entrance to restaurants and other indoor spaces, will cease to be valid if seven months have passed after the second dose of the vaccine," Plevris elaborated. According to the Greek health minister, about 500,000 individuals entitled to the booster shot have not yet received it.
Watch the video below of McGowan's Jan. 13 announcement about vaccine passports in WA.
This video is from the SBN News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.
Head over to MedicalMartialLaw.com for more stories about draconian vaccine passport mandate.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.