Full vaccination will become mandatory for SPC’s staff and visitors to gain entry to any of the company’s locations, including manufacturing sites, by the end of November.
The packaged fruit manufacturer said all its staff, as well as contractors, must have at least the first dose of the vaccine scheduled by September 15, with the dose administered by the end of October.
“Lockdowns are not a sustainable solution, and the Australian economy needs to open up again,” said Hussein Rifai, chairman of SPC. “The only path forward for our country is through vaccination.
“We believe it is the right thing to do, and we must go further to minimise risk and to protect the people we care about from the Delta variant.”
SPC will support aid and compensation for its staff via paid time off when required to receive their vaccinations and provide special paid leave for any who become unwell after the vaccination.
“We have already implemented rigorous safety plans at all our sites in response to the pandemic,” said Robert Giles, CEO of SPC. “But Australian companies must go further by rapidly vaccinating their staff.”
For those with pre-existing conditions who are unable to receive the vaccine, their circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
