Australian State Threatens Hefty Fines for Workers Who Don’t Comply With Vaccine Mandate

'Simply not wanting the vaccine is not a reason' for an exemption

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner addresses supporters at Labor's election headquarters in Darwin, Australia, on Aug. 22, 2020. AAP Image/Charlie Bliss

Australia’s Northern Territory is set to impose one of the world’s strictest COVID-19 mandates for workers, as the country plans to reopen its borders.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner imposed a Nov. 12 deadline for frontline and public facing workers to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and a Dec. 24 deadline to be fully vaccinated against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.