Health Minister: CMO not responsible for Covid-mandate advice
HEALTH MINISTER Daniel Cummings, was unequivocal as he defended the integrity of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Simone Keizer Beache in Parliament on July 21st. Cummings’ comments surprised many governing New Democratic Party (NDP) supporters who have been calling for the head of the CMO over her role in the COVID 19 vaccine mandate issue. Cummings’ statement was made during debate in Parliament on the Daily Paid and Minor Salaried Officers (Compassionate Gratuity) Bill 2026.
“I am here to say that COVID mandate was the brainchild of the former prime minister who brought it, who insisted on it, and who would not hear from any professional voice…,” the Parliamentary Representative for West Kingstown and Minister of Health,Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy, Daniel Cummings, told members in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
The Unity Labour Party (ULP) government had on Friday November 19, 2021, instituted the COVID-19 mandate through the SR&O No 28 — The Public Health (Public bodies Special Measures) Rules of 2021.
The mandate required certain groups of workers,the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government referred to as ‘front line workers’ to take a COVID-19 vaccine in order to continue working in their respective areas.
Failure to be vaccinated resulted in over 500 workers being deemed to be absent from duty without leave.
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