How other countries are managing COVID-19 vaccine requirements

Other countries are taking different approaches to addressing COVID-19 vaccine rules. For example, Italy requires both public- and private-sector employees to possess government-issued health passes (i.e., Green Passes) showing proof of (1) vaccination, (2) a recent negative test result, or (3) recovery from the virus in the six months prior to returning to the workplace. Although the measure stops short of requiring private-sector employees to get the shots, it represents one of the world’s strictest vaccination rules.

Sample of responses

Generally, governments haven’t enacted or implemented measures requiring all private-sector employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. At most, a majority of countries have required employees in public-facing roles in certain sectors (e.g., food and beverage establishments, gyms and fitness studios, and border control and coronavirus frontline workers as well as the healthcare, childcare, and eldercare sectors) to get the shots. But there are exceptions.

Saudi Arabia. Both public- and private-sector employees in Saudi Arabia must get the COVID-19 vaccinations before entering the workplace.

Indonesia. Similarly, only vaccinated employees may enter the workplace in Indonesia except when they have (1) recovered from COVID-19 in the previous three months or (2) undergone a medical examination and received medical advice (evidenced by a doctor’s certificate) not to receive the vaccines. Notably, employers in Indonesia may issue a written warning to employees who don’t comply with applicable virus prevention-and-control protocols.