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From Italy to Australia to the US, these are the countries making Covid-19 vaccines mandatory

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A health worker prepares a dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
A health worker prepares a dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
Jorge Bernal / AFP

A sharp upturn in infections due to the Delta variant and a slowdown in vaccinations have pushed governments to make Covid-19 shots mandatory for health workers, other high-risk groups or dining out.

A growing number of countries are also making shots compulsory for public servants or travelers. In some of the strictest measures in the world, Italy will require a Covid-19 health pass from all workers.

Here are some countries' vaccine mandates:

Italy

The Italian government made it obligatory for all workers either to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from infection. The new rules will come into force on 15 October.

Any worker who fails to present a valid health certificate will be suspended without pay, but cannot be sacked, according to a draft of the decree seen by Reuters.

While some European Union states have ordered their health workers to get vaccines, none have made the Green Pass mandatory for all employees, making Italy a test case for the continent.

US

President Joe Biden on 10 September announced policies requiring most federal employees to get Covid-19 vaccinations and pushing large employers to have their workers inoculated or tested weekly.

The new measures would apply to about two-thirds of all US employees, those who work for businesses with more than 100 workers.

The White House confirmed on 5 August it is considering requiring foreign visitors to be vaccinated as it plans to eventually reopen international travel but said it had made no final decision and was not immediately going to lift restrictions.

Australia

Australia decided in late June to make vaccinations mandatory for high-risk aged-care workers and employees in quarantine hotels.

In Tasmania, vaccines will be mandatory for aged care workers as of 17 September, local media reported.

UK

It will be mandatory for care home workers in England to have vaccinations from October.

English nightclubs and other venues with large crowds will require patrons to present proof of full vaccination from the end of September.

Britain is highly likely to require health workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on 14 September.

Canada

Canada said on 13 August it would mandate Covid-19 vaccination for federal public servants and transportation workers by the end of October. The vaccine mandate will also include air, train and cruise ship travellers.

From 13 September vaccines are required for patrons of non-essential businesses such as restaurants and movie theatres.

Fiji

A "no jab, no job" coronavirus policy went into effect in Fiji on 15 August, AFP reported, with unvaccinated public servants forced to go on leave. Those who remain unvaccinated by November will be dismissed.

In addition, employees at private firms could face fines and companies could be forced to stop operations over vaccine refusals.

France

All healthcare and care home workers, home aids and urgent care technicians must have had at least their first shot of a Covid-19 vaccine by 15 September.

Hospitals, care homes and health centres have suspended around 3,000 workers across France for failing to comply with mandatory Covid-19 vaccination, the government said.

Greece

Greece on 12 July made vaccinations mandatory for nursing home staff with immediate effect and healthcare workers from September.

As part of new measures, only vaccinated customers are allowed in bars, cinemas, theatres and other closed spaces.

Hungary

Hungary's government has decided to make vaccinations mandatory for healthcare workers.

Indonesia

The world's fourth most populous country made inoculations mandatory in February, threatening fines of up to 5 million rupiah (about $357).

Kazakhstan 

Kazakhstan will introduce mandatory vaccinations or weekly testing for people working in groups of more than 20.

Lebanon

Lebanon is to limit entry to restaurants, cafes, pubs and beaches to people holding vaccine certificates or those who have taken antibody tests.

Non-vaccinated employees of these establishments would be required to receive a PCR test every 72 hours.

Malta

Malta banned visitors from entering the country from 14 July unless they were fully vaccinated.

Micronesia

The small South Pacific island nation of the Federated States of Micronesia has mandated that its adult population be inoculated against Covid-19. The Pacific island nation said everyone over 18 years will have to receive a vaccine.

Netherlands

The Dutch government announced on 14 September it will introduce a "corona" pass showing proof of vaccination to go to bars, restaurants, clubs or cultural events.

Russia

Moscow city authorities on June 16 ordered all workers with public-facing roles to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Companies were given a month to ensure at least 60% of staff had received first doses, or face fines or temporary closure.

Moscow residents no longer have to present a QR code demonstrating they have been vaccinated or have immunity in order to sit in cafes, restaurants and bars from 19 July.

Saudi Arabia

In May, Saudi Arabia mandated that all public and private sector workers wishing to attend a workplace get vaccinated, without specifying when this would be implemented.

Vaccination will also be required to enter any government, private, or education establishments and to use public transport as of 1 August.

Saudi citizens will need two doses before they can travel outside the kingdom from 9 August, state news agency SPA reported.

Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka announced that citizens would require vaccination cards to travel between provinces and in public spaces as of 15 September, it was reported.

Switzerland

Swiss people will need to show a Covid-status certificate to enter bars, restaurants and fitness centres in Switzerland from 13 September, the government ordered on 8 September. The Swiss Covid certificate provides proof of vaccination, recovery from infection or a negative test result.

Turkey

Turkey will begin requiring negative Covid-19 test results and proofs of vaccination for some sectors, including from teachers as schools reopen in September and for domestic travel, President Tayyip Erdogan said.

As of 6 September, a negative PCR test is mandatory for those who have not been vaccinated, or not recovered from the virus, to enter concerts, cinemas and theatres, Turkey's Interior Ministry reportedly said.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is making vaccination mandatory for all residents aged 18 and over.

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