On 18 June 2022, Martin Foley announced a range of changes to the COVID-19 pandemic orders to take effect over winter.   Following advice from the Acting Chief Health Officer, from 11.59pm on Friday 24 June 2022 various changes will be introduced.  

Whilst the new pandemic orders have not yet been published, the Health Minister announced that these changes will include lifting the mandatory requirement for workers in education settings to be vaccinated with a third dose COVID-19 vaccine.  Under the current applicable pandemic orders, you must have already received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (or have an exemption) to be able to work in an education setting.  Minister Foley’s announcement also makes clear that policies concerning vaccination of workers will be the responsibility of individual workplaces. 

Schools and other education settings should therefore give consideration to reviewing their current COVID-19 policies and procedures, including whether they should continue mandating vaccination requirements on alternative grounds such as risk to health and safety in their particular workplace. 

For further discussion and tailored advice regarding your organisation’s needs, please contact Nick Duggal
The content of this publication is intended to provide a summary and commentary only. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice, and has been prepared based on applicable legislation at the date of publication. You should seek legal advice on specific circumstances before taking any action.