Feb 18, 2021 - World

Indonesia announces punishments for those who refuse COVID vaccines

Rebecca Falconer

Officers injected the Covid-19 vaccine at traders at Tanah Abang Market, Central Jakarta City. — COVID-19 vaccination of some 1,500 traders at the Tanah Abang Market,l Jakarta City on Wednesday, as the Indonesian Ministry of Health begins to roll out the second phase of its coronavirus innoculations program. Photo: Araminta JR / Opn Images/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Indonesia's government has made COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for anyone who's eligible and warned of punishments for those who refuse, as authorities move to curb Southeast Asia’s largest coronavirus outbreak, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

The big picture: Sanctions include fines and social assistance program delays. Local authorities will decide on penalties. The government is providing the vaccines for free. Over 1.2 million Indonesians have tested positive for the virus, per Johns Hopkins.

Add Axios on Google

Indonesia announces punishments for those who refuse COVID vaccines

What to read next