Clubs should lead by example on Covid jabs
Clubs in Hong Kong are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance “to ensure the safety and health of their employees”. They must therefore observe and implement many health and safety requirements in relation to public health, ranging from no-smoking areas to food and hygiene standards. In practice, these standards affect club members and employees.
The Covid-19 pandemic is the worst acute global public health emergency in many decades. It is therefore appropriate for clubs in Hong Kong – where we are fortunate beyond belief to have available, safe and free vaccines – to require vaccination of their staff to protect their health as well as that of the members frequenting the clubs.
Upper management should lead by example by all getting vaccinated. If any staff member has a medical contraindication for vaccination, they could present a doctor’s exemption certificate, and be tested regularly instead. Clubs should be proactive now and not wait until legal compulsion is applied.
There are already legal debates in the Hong Kong Lawyer journal on liability against employers for failing to provide a safe working environment and warnings on compensation claims if an employee catches Covid-19 at work. No club would want this, nor to be an epicentre of a Covid19 spread.
This is a call to all employers, but especially to Hong Kong’s sports and social clubs. They could show real leadership in caring for the health of their staff, members and the community.
Your editorial headlines on two consecutive days say it all: “Everyone has part to play in fighting virus” (May 5) and “Jabs only way to go as pandemic remains obstacle to recovery” (May 6).