Harsh penalties introduced for using a fake vaccine certificate
Anyone caught using a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate may face a hefty fine or jail time under a new amendment to NSW’s public health order.
According to the NSW Government, the state’s Health Minister Brad Hazzard approved the move on Tuesday night and it is now in effect.
“A person must not provide, display or produce to another person information or evidence, including vaccination evidence, purporting to show the person is a fully vaccinated person, unless the information or evidence is true and accurate,” the amendment reads.
While the new rule doesn’t outline how big of a fine violators could face, the maximum penalty for breaching a public health order is a $11,000 fine and six months in jail.
Fully vaccinated residents have been enjoying eating out at restaurants, shopping and picking up a pint at the bar since the state reached its 80 per cent vaccination target last week.
Unvaccinated residents will not be allowed to enjoy such freedoms until December.
On Wednesday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced Covid-19 booster shots will be available to Aussies six months after they have received their two doses.
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The TGA said it has provisionally approved a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine to people over 18 following “careful evaluation of the available data supporting safety and efficacy".
The move means Australia will be one of the most “highly vaccinated societies in the world”, federal health minister Greg Hunt said.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced fully vaccinated Aussies will no longer have to apply for travel exemptions to leave the country.
The country is preparing to ease its borders and resume international travel from Monday.
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