Pierluisi mandates the Govt-19 vaccine for public servants

Government employees working in person should be vaccinated Govit-19 Follow the Governor’s executive order Pedro Pierlucci It will come into effect from August 16.

In this way, federal employees become the second group in two weeks, and its vaccination is mandatory. Last week, The Department of Health The order was issued to provide evidence for the vaccination of students and staff in schools and universities for direct entry into educational centers.

As with the Department of Education, public servants may be exempt from the administrative order if a document certifying certain medical reasons for not being vaccinated or signed by a spiritual leader stating religious reasons for rejecting the vaccine.

However, in the case of public sector employees who submit a valid reason for not being vaccinated, they must submit a negative result to the weekly Govt-19 diagnostic test.

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According to Pierre Luci, if the employee refuses to submit the test result, he will have an alternative to settle the licenses he obtained. Once the full leave balance is exhausted, the employee will be granted unpaid leave, which will be extended until the end of the state of emergency due to Govt-19 infection.

Since I have the duty and authority to take these administrative actions that apply to all employees, I act as the boss of the entire management branch. In other words, I set an example, “said Pierre Lucy, speaking at a conference with the Secretary of Health. Carlos Mellado.

The governor explained that, for now, the executive order applies to 65 federal government agencies, so it could cover public companies, municipalities or the private sector. Pierrelus could not say how many of the 90,000 employees at 65 agencies have not yet been vaccinated, but based on general vaccination figures, he estimates it should be around 30% or about 27,000.

However, with the action taken by the administration, the President bet that public companies and municipalities would take similar action in the immediate future. He emphasized that the letter was not a signal of a formal antitrust inquiry into the allegations, but rather a signal of a formal antitrust inquiry into the allegations.

“I think a lot of employers are going to be affected by the same standards. Here the law has been reviewed and the employer has the power to do that. In order we even cite cases. Supreme Court of the United States, Cases of two federal courts, it pointed out Department of Justice Federation, it points out Placement Commission. We quote everything because it is going to protect the employer who demands what I demand. Based on the legal advice I have received, I, as an employer, can take this action and I know it is completely legal, ”the CEO reiterated.

Nonetheless, Pierre Lucy pointed out that he “does not rule out” taking more drastic measures in the future depending on the development of the epidemic and the rate of vaccination.

However, he declined to comment on the extent to which the government could force vaccinations to departments beyond public servants.

“I do not speculate. This is the step to take now. Usually I take my decision, step by step, at this moment. Although I give it by recommendation, I firmly believe that this policy will be followed at the level of public institutions. The majority of mayors and mayors protect the people. I justifiably believe that they will follow the same pattern, the only thing I can not assure you is that the private sector is going to respond, but I dare assume that many will follow this example, ”the CEO said.

At the press conference, it was mentioned that as on August 16, the federal government employees have to submit the vaccination card along with the proof of the first dose. Then, they have until September 30 to provide proof of completion of the cycle.

Impact on the most backward people?

Although the administrative order is centered on public servants, the truth is that the group lagging behind in vaccination includes people between the ages of 12 and 29, who are often not affected by the mandate.

Of the 20-29 year old population, 60% of men and 67% of women have received at least one dose of the vaccine. According to a recent report, in the 15-19 age group, women make up 65% and 62%, respectively. Scientific Alliance Advises the government.

At the end of the press conference, Mellato stressed that the executive order would be fulfilled by an administrative order issued by the Department of Health last week, making vaccination mandatory in schools and universities.

“We are definitely going to continue to promote everything within our power. We are continuing with educational campaigns. There are many side effects, guide young people to be vaccinated,” Mellato said.

In Puerto Rico, 66.6% of people have received at least one dose and completed 57.8% of the cycle – from zero to 11 years of age, yet to be vaccinated.

Does the health department support a more serious administrative order?

“The law (organic in the health sector) establishes that I must do everything possible to ensure the health of the people of Puerto Rico by an epidemic. I can do everything I know I can do. Obviously, it is the responsibility of lawyers and the governor to establish legal strategies,” the secretary said.

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