A reprieve to lower tensions.

An agreement was found on Saturday in New Caledonia, during a social roundtable, to postpone from October 31 to December 31, 2021 the vaccine obligation against Covid-19 in "sensitive" sectors.

Struck since September 6 by a virulent epidemic of coronavirus, which has so far killed 252, the territory had voted a few days before, on September 3, in favor of compulsory vaccination for various sectors (health, transport, forces of order, media, etc.) on October 31 and for the entire population on December 31.

Demonstrations and blockades

The health pass was put in place on October 11, allowing an adaptation of the confinement, which remains in force on weekends until the end of October. In his opening speech, the president of the collegiate government, Louis Mapou, acknowledged that “these two tools divide”. Demonstrations, blockades and strike notices punctuate the discontent carried by several unions and anti-tax associations, but also by certain traditional Kanak officials, especially in the province of the Loyalty Islands.

“The fateful date of October 31 clearly poses difficulties (…).

The application of the deliberation generates tensions within companies to the point of jeopardizing internal cohesion ”, declared the head of the collegial executive while a hundred people opposed to health measures had gathered in front of the building where the round table was held.

Violence with antivax

A journalist from New Caledonia the 1st was "violently punched in the face" on Saturday by one of these anti-tax protesters, most of whom refused to speak to the media, while he was taking pictures, France Télévisions said in a statement. .

The management of New Caledonia la 1ére and France Télévisions "condemned this cowardly and violent act" and filed a complaint.

At the end of a morning discussion, the participants of this round table decided that a bill would be tabled in Congress (deliberative assembly) on Monday, on behalf of all the political groups, to request a postponement of the obligation. vaccination of sensitive sectors as of December 31.

"There is also a consensus on expanding the health pass (...) and there will be work on refocusing the sectors concerned by the vaccination obligation and on the general vaccination obligation", declared Christopher Gygès, member of the government.

Currently, 55.2% of the total population of New Caledonia has a complete vaccination schedule.

The incidence rate is down, as well as hospital pressure, but the authorities fear a rebound.

"We are in a dangerous in-between," warned Louis Mapou.

Health

Coronavirus in New Caledonia: The epidemic continues to grow, hospitals saturated

Health

Coronavirus: Should we expect a fifth epidemic wave this fall?

  • Health pass

  • New Caledonia

  • Covid 19

  • Coronavirus

  • Health