UNC’s Kamla Persad opposes vaccine mandate policy of PM Rowley

Trinidad and Tobago: The opposition leader of the United National Congress, Kamla Persad Bissessar, criticized the vaccination mandate policy of the government for the public servants calling it a ransom demand. She further claimed that the announcement had been made in a typical authoritarian manner by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. 

The opposition leader raising her voice against the vaccination policy asserted that this policy could lead the people towards the path of vaccine hesitancy. 

“Vaccine mandate could end up making more people vaccine-hesitant. And so desperate to keep their jobs, some may turn like the cobra breeders going for fake cards. Like Delhi’s cobra plan, I say Rowley’s poorly thought out vaccine mandate could end up causing more problems and creating worse situations”.

Citing instances of the United Kingdom, Kamla Bissessar further noted that the country is moving even on the arrivals, the testing, and quarantine. She added that several other nations are at present removing the lockdown policy, eventually putting the lives of the general public at risk, and which policy has collapsed the economy of Trinidad and Tobago. 

The opposition leader further emphasized that the government must work for the welfare of the general public, noting that this mandate vaccination policy does not encourage the public servants and the other population to get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19. 

“A vaccine mandate is likely to embolden two groups – the anti-vaxxers and the fraudsters. You are moving into the areas of breaches of constitutional rights & the policy that you are going to put in effect is one of discrimination – only people with vaccine cards could work and collect pay, who don’t – no pay for them,” she outlined. 

Defending UNCs’ decision of not standing with the governments’ policy of the vaccination mandate, Kamla Bissessar said the PM Rowley led-administration has to foster trust and transparency and must have the ability the communicate with the public rather than ‘talking down to people and ‘buffing’ up people.

“I encourage people to consult your doctor and go for the vaccine and or the boosters thereafter. NO to the mandatory vaccine,” UNC leader concluded.