The Belgian federal government has established rules for the mandatory vaccination of healthcare personnel. Unvaccinated healthcare personnel have until April 1, 2022 to be vaccinated, after which they are dismissed. That was announced late Monday evening.
Until April 1, Belgian healthcare personnel will be vaccinated, and a negative PCR test of a maximum of 72 hours old is also enough to be allowed to work. But those who have not yet been vaccinated after that date will be fired, according to Belgian media about the Belgian government’s decision. Dismissed staff retain the right to unemployment benefits.
“The vast majority of people who work in healthcare have been vaccinated. We are very grateful for that, but it cannot be the case that there is still a small minority who have not been vaccinated,” said Health Minister Frank. Vandenbroucke against VRT News. “We give these people time until April 1 of next year to be vaccinated. Everyone in care must then be fully vaccinated.”
Umbrella organization: government must go further
The hospitals previously advised Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke to suspend and, if necessary, fire unvaccinated healthcare staff. The unions were not happy about this.
The umbrella organization of healthcare organizations Zorgnet Icuro is happy with the new vaccination rules and believes that the government should go even further, spokesperson Margot Cloet told VRT Nieuws: “This decision only concerns healthcare staff, it is not yet about the people who support logistics. in hospitals or residential care centers or social workers. It is only about the people who take care of themselves.”
Required to work from home for 4 days
In the fight against the rising number of corona infections, it has also been decided that employees must work from home four days a week. So you can go to the office at most one day a week.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo will convene the consultation committee of the six governments of the country early on Wednesday to discuss additional corona measures.
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