Unvaccinated SAPOL police officers were able to return to work last Monday (7 March) when the COVID-19 vaccination mandate was revoked.
Commissioner of Police, Grant Stevens said he was confident that the risks to SAPOL employees and members of the community could be effectively managed through alternative controls rather than unvaccinated staff being furloughed from the workplace.
Commissioner Stevens said the Police Workers Vaccination Direction was revoked and replaced with a Managerial Direction, allowing SAPOL employees to return to the workplace.
“Whilst the Managerial Direction enables unvaccinated employees to return to their substantive duties, there will be some limitations regarding their ability to attend some settings such as Residential Aged Care Facilities, Disability Facilities and the Forensic Science building,” Commissioner Stevens said.
“The ongoing requirement for vaccination mandates are particular for the sectors to which they apply.
“As the State Coordinator, I am engaging with, and seeking advice from, Agencies and sectors which have a mandatory vaccination direction.”
“Advice will be taken into consideration with regard to the ongoing application of the Emergency Management Act Directions which impact those Agencies.”
Commissioner Stevens said he was happy to report that over 98.5 per cent of the South Australia Police workforce had been vaccinated, which was above the 92 per cent plus of the South Australian population who are vaccinated.
