The secretariat of geopolitical bloc, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has initiated a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandate for in-person visits to its headquarters and satellite units across the region.

CARICOM, in a statement on Tuesday (October 12), said the mandate was among a slew of measures imposed as of October 1, 2021, to manage access to its offices, protect its staff and control further spread of the pandemic.

“The CARICOM Secretariat has instituted measures as of 1 October, 2021 with respect to access to its offices across the region in order to provide a safe working environment for its staff, in keeping with attempts to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” CARICOM said.

“These measures include proof of vaccination for staff members and all persons seeking to enter our offices to do business,” CARICOM added.

The regional bloc indicated that staff members and members of the public who are not vaccinated would require a PCR test no older than seven days to enter its offices.