Workers and pensioners at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) branch office in Region Two were on Wednesday locked out of the facility because they were unvaccinated.
At least 10 staff members were unvaccinated and could not provide a negative PCR test result to guards in order to be allowed access.
When Stabroek News arrived at the branch office staff members and clients were standing outside of the compound. When asked why, they said they were locked out because they were totally against getting vaccinated.
“Taking a vaccine should be a choice. Why are we being forced to do this? Now we won’t get money if we don’t produce a [negative] PCR [test result]. This is total nonsense,” a staff member said.
A pensioner who spoke to this newspaper had not been vaccinated as yet. She said that while she really needed to seek the NIS’ services she could not do so because of her status.
Meanwhile Region Two Regional Health Officer Dr Ranjeev Singh urged persons to get vaccinated while saying it will help protect them and their families from getting serious illnesses. There are permanent sites established in the region at various locations.
Staff at government facilities around the country have recently been locked out of their places of employ over the new requirements. Workers are expected either show proof of vaccination or produce a negative PCR test result from an approved private laboratory.
On Monday over 25 workers of the West Demerara Regional Hospital were locked out of their place of work as they failed to present their vaccination cards or a negative PCR test to gain entry to the facility.
The staff members, which included doctors, nurses and even auxiliary personnel, were left standing beyond the gates of the facility when they showed up for work.
When Stabroek News visited the facility, some workers were seen taking shade from the sun at a nearby shop as they were told by the security that they could not enter.
According to the Regional Health Officer Dr. Erica Forte, the workers were given ample time to abide by the measures, which were placed publicized via the Official Gazette.
Dr Forte told Stabroek News that along with the two week period which staff were given to comply with the published order, staff were given additional time to be inoculated or get their tests done.
While this newspaper was present, it was observed that two patients appeared at the facility to access services and were told that they would not be permitted to enter if they were unable to show their vaccination cards. Subsequently, one woman who came with her child was permitted to enter. The woman related that she was then told that there was no one there to tend to her and as a result she should wait outside of the facility.
One member of staff who identified himself as Dr Kendall, in describing the situation, stated that he and other staff showed up to work expecting to go about their day as usual but were then told that unvaccinated workers were not allowed to enter.
He noted that what was being observed was nothing but an “illegal mandate” which was put in place by the management of the hospital. Dr Kendall told this newspaper that the “mandate” is illegal on multiple fronts.
“The Medical Practitioners Act clearly states that no patient is to have medication forced upon them so the fact that you want vaccination mandatory, you are trying to force medication upon your workers,” he added.
