Peak industry group the National Retail Association (NRA) has today reiterated that the best way to encourage more Australians to get vaccinated is with a ‘carrot and not a stick’ approach.
The retail group strongly agrees that a high vaccination rate is crucial to ending lockdowns, but that more blunt measures such as vaccine passports to enter businesses come with a raft of unintended consequences.
NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that the overwhelming majority of Australians already understand the urgency of the situation and in recent weeks have rolled up their sleeves to end lockdowns.
“Vaccinations are undoubtedly the most effective avenue to end lockdowns and we strongly urge all Australians to roll up their sleeves if they haven’t already,” Ms Lamb said.
“Throughout this pandemic retailers have gone above and beyond to provide safe workplaces for both shoppers and employees.
“In recent weeks, we have seen countless Australians answer the call and get vaccinated. We’re well on track to reach the vaccination thresholds outlined by National Cabinet to ease restrictions. The ‘carrot rather than the stick’ approach is clearly working.
“Vaccine passports are not the straightforward solution some believe them to be. There are obviously issues around privacy and discrimination where we believe the current laws are not adequate.
“A big unintended consequence of a vaccine passport is it will spur customer abuse. Everyone will recall scenes from last year when retail staff were subjected to horrific abuse from frustrated customers. Similar incidents would no doubt occur from customers either unwilling to comply or who don’t possess proof of being vaccinated when entering a store.
“We also don’t know enough about how vaccines will operate post-lockdowns. Will people need to receive a booster shot each year and provide proof? Will new vaccines need to be developed to combat new strains of COVID?
“By the time the necessary legislation and technology is implemented, Australia would almost certainly be above the 80 per cent vaccination rate recommended to ease restrictions.
“The most effective way out of lockdowns remains encouraging Australians to get vaccinated and for individuals to make informed decisions by consulting their GP or other medical professionals.”