Federal health agency, California and New York City impose vaccine mandates


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The US Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday became the first major federal agency to require health care workers to get Covid-19 vaccines, as the aggressive Delta variant spreads and many communities report increases in hospitalisations.

The move from the VA, which provides health care to US military veterans, came on a day when nearly 60 leading medical and health care organisations issued a call for US health care facilities to require their workers to get vaccinated.

At the VA, vaccines will be mandatory for specified health care personnel — including doctors, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists and others who provide direct care to veterans, VA Secretary Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said.

Employees will have eight weeks to get their shots.

“It’s the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the Delta variant spreads across the country,” Mr McDonough said in a statement. “Whenever a veteran or VA employee sets foot in a VA facility, they deserve to know that we have done everything in our power to protect them from Covid-19.

“With this mandate, we can once again make — and keep — that fundamental promise,” he added.

California, the nation's most populous state, moved to require state employees and all health care workers to show proof of a Covid-19 vaccination or get tested weekly next month.

File photo of California Governor Gavin Newsom at a press conference in June. His mandate follows a similar move in New York. AP
File photo of California Governor Gavin Newsom at a press conference in June. His mandate follows a similar move in New York. AP

There are at least 238,000 state employees, according to the California controller’s office, and at least 2 million health care workers in the public and private sectors.

“We may be the first state at scale to not only require it for all state employees but to engage in public-private partnership with our healthcare facilities in the state,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in announcing the new policy.

Mr Newsom's move follows one in New York City, where Mayor Bill de Blasio said all of its municipal workers — including teachers and police officers — are required to get coronavirus vaccines by mid-September or face weekly Covid-19 testing.

The rule is expected to affect about 340,000 city employees, making the city one of the largest employers in the US to take such action. While it isn’t a vaccine mandate — no workers will be forced to take a shot — officials hope the inconvenience and discomfort of weekly tests will persuade many to overcome a reluctance to get inoculated.

“This is about our recovery. This is about what we need to do to bring back New York City,” Mr de Blasio said. “This is about keeping people safe.”

These moves come as a Morning Consult survey from last week found the US ranks just behind Russia in having the world's most vaccine hesitant populations.

About 69 per cent of the US adult population has had at least one dose.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
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  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

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Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla

Verdict:  Three stars 

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6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)

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UK-EU trade at a glance

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Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

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Price: From Dh1,700,000

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  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
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if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

Which products are to be taxed?

To be taxed:

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category

Not taxed

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules

WORLD CUP FINAL

England v South Africa

Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo

Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)

MEFCC information

Tickets range from Dh110 for an advance single-day pass to Dh300 for a weekend pass at the door. VIP tickets have sold out. Visit www.mefcc.com to purchase tickets in advance.

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Price, base: Dh5.1 million

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm

Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km

Updated: July 26, 2021, 8:22 PM`