A “no jab, no job” coronavirus policy has gone into effect in Fiji, with unvaccinated public servants forced to go on leave as the Pacific nation joined a number of countries in imposing similar mandates, AFP reported.

The government has argued that mandatory vaccinations are necessary to raise immunisation rates and end the outbreak.

After a period of forced leave starting on Sunday, Fiji's public servants who remain unvaccinated by November will be dismissed.

In addition, employees at private firms could face fines and companies could be forced to stop operations over vaccine refusals.