Govt mulling vax mandate for cops

The Government is yet to come to a decision on mandating the Covid-19 vaccines for police officers. Under the new traffic light system, workers in close-contact businesses like hairdressers will need to be vaccinated in order to operate. But police – who often come into closecontact with the public – are not yet required to be vaccinated. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was something the Government was actively considering and a mandate was possible. ‘‘It is pressing. But we don’t make any decisions around vaccine mandates lightly.’’ Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins said that a vaccine mandate for police was ‘‘quite possible’’. Police Minister Poto Williams said a decision would be made ‘‘imminently’’.