China Enforces Mandatory Vaccination for 1.4 Billion People... Unvaccinated Workers Face Wage Suspension

Some Provinces Restrict Unvaccinated Individuals from Public Facilities and Public Transportation... Vaccine Certificate Verification Required
Mandatory Vaccinations Enforced Based on Infectious Disease Prevention Law... Goal to Achieve Over 70% Vaccination Before Winter Olympics

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese authorities have effectively enforced mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations by imposing movement restrictions on unvaccinated individuals. Previously, the National Health Commission announced that the cumulative number of vaccine doses administered across 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) surpassed 1.4 billion as of the 13th.

According to Chinese media outlet Pengpai on the 15th, provincial governments in Jiangxi, Anhui, Fujian, Shanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and other regions have issued notices restricting access to public facilities for unvaccinated individuals. These notices were mainly sent to county-level areas and some cities.

Pengpai reported that unvaccinated people are prohibited from entering public places and face restrictions on using public transportation such as taxis. When entering public venues, individuals must present the Jiankangbao (Health Code mini-program) and vaccination certificates.

Some counties in Anhui Province have notified that all adults aged 18 and over must be vaccinated without exception. Additionally, those aged 15 to 17 are required to be vaccinated by the end of July, and those aged 12 to 14 by the end of August. In Jiangxi Province, starting from the 26th, unvaccinated individuals aged 18 and above will be banned from entering public places such as hotels, train stations, and bus terminals. Furthermore, all parents must complete vaccination before the new school term begins in September; otherwise, their children’s school attendance may be restricted.

In some districts of Shandong Province, residents must present the Jiankangbao and vaccination certificates even when entering apartment complexes. Unvaccinated individuals are effectively confined to their homes. Some counties in Henan Province have prohibited unvaccinated civil servants and public institution employees from going to work, and those unvaccinated will not receive wages.

Pengpai explained that these vaccination policies in certain provinces are based on Article 53, Paragraph 6 of the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases," which allows provincial governments to restrict access to public places for disease prevention and control.

However, Pengpai added that exceptions will be made for individuals holding vaccination exemption certificates issued by level 2 or higher public medical institutions due to health reasons.

The Chinese government aims to complete vaccinations for 70 to 80% of the population ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February next year. Considering China's population of 1.4 billion, the cumulative number of vaccine doses administered should reach between 1.9 billion and 2.2 billion or more.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.