There are exemptions for those who are unable to be vaccinated based on documented medical reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qantas Airways<\/a> said on Wednesday it would require all of its employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19 as part of its broader commitment to safety, in line with some other airlines globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pilots, cabin crew, and airport workers will need to be fully vaccinated by November 15th, while other staff will have until March 31st, 2022, the airline said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There will be exemptions for those who are unable to be vaccinated based on documented medical reasons, which it said was expected to be very rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The airline said a staff poll found that 89 percent had already been vaccinated or were planning to be, and around three-quarters of staff felt it should be a requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s clear that vaccinations are the only way to end the cycle of lockdowns and border closures,\u201d Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce told reporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Qantas this month said it was temporarily idling about 2,500 employees without pay for at least two months in a bid to cope with fresh Covid-19 restrictions in Australia that have slashed domestic travel demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The airline has previously said it will require all international passengers to be vaccinated once Australia\u2019s borders reopen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mr. Joyce said Qantas was also examining the possibility of requiring vaccinations for domestic travellers, given precedents overseas that made them mandatory for entry to venues like sports events and restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are still working it out,\u201d he said. \u201cNo decision has been made.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The state of Western Australia now requires travelers from Covid-hit New South Wales to have had at least one vaccine dose for entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n United <\/a>Airlines<\/a> this month became the first US airline to require Covid-19 vaccinations for all domestic employees, in a move that was followed by Hawaiian Airlines<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n