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The Australian Hairdressing Council has been vocal in its stand against what critics are labelling government-led vaccine “apartheid” on the basis of medical status, putting pressure on Churches to take a similar position against mandatory vaccinations for church attendance.

Hairdressers Have Taken a Stand

In August, when Gladys Berejiklian first floated the idea of permitting hairdressers to reopen – provided they refused to serve unvaccinated clients – hairdressers voiced their disapproval of the measures.

For most hairdressers, these radical steps would have meant unwanted negative conflict with valued customers. Jade Edwards, the owner of Edwards & Co salons, accused the government of kicking hairdressers ‘around the football field’ by leaving the implementation of the ‘awkward’ measures to local businesses.

‘I would be super excited to reopen — what I don’t want to happen is for the government to make us choose if people can come back if they are vaccinated because it puts us in an awkward position.’ (Jade Edwards, Salon Owner)

Vaccine Apartheid is Now Widespread

Since these first hints of a double-standard reopening for vaccinated and unvaccinated citizens, the idea has gained considerable traction.

By now, the idea that unvaccinated people should have limited access to all kinds of public services and businesses has been widely accepted by the government. But what Amnesty International Australia’s Campaign Strategist, Joel MacKay labelled ‘vaccine apartheid’ extends beyond mere access to services to employment, with workers in numerous sectors being told they have until November to get the shot or they will lose their job.

Churches the Latest Target

Nine News’s Chris O’Keefe and right-wing commentary site Caldron Pool reported this week that the New South Wales government intends to compel churches to refuse entry to unvaccinated members. Allegedly, the Premier plans to include places of worship on her list of services that will be considered vaccinated-only.

According to Caldron Pool,

‘Once the [70% vaccination] target is reached, places of worship must deny entry to any member of the congregation who is not fully vaccinated.’

While the Berejiklian government has not yet signed off on the so-called ‘roadmap’, O’Keefe suggested that the plan was ‘likely to be signed off on this week’.

Caldron Pool: “The Ezekiel Declaration was Right”

According to Caldron Pool, the news broke following ‘a barrage of criticism’ slamming the Ezekiel Declaration for ‘preemptively’ and ‘prematurely’ suggesting that the governments might impose vaccine mandates on church attendance.

Since its release, the Declaration has been signed by around 2800 church leaders and over 21000 members and attendees.

The Ezekiel Declaration

Hairdressers Set the Example

In light of the suggestion that they might be required to enforce some form of ‘vaccine apartheid’, hairdressers in New South Wales voiced their disapproval.

Sandy Chong, the CEO of the Australian Hairdressing Council, insisted that any approach to vaccinations for COVID-19 had to be what she termed ‘pro-choice’.

‘…we have to understand that some can’t be vaccinated, whether it’s medical or personal reasons.’ (Sandy Chong, CEO, Australian Hairdressing Council)

‘I am not going to force them to do it if they don’t want to. I believe in choice and people making informed decisions themselves, so it’s really up to them…’ (Jade Edwards, Salon Owner)

Will Churches Also Push Back?

Christian Scripture teaches a responsibility to obey our civil authorities (Romans 13:1-5), but we also have a Biblical duty to meet together (Hebrews 10:24-25) and need to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). These new requirements would create an awkward dilemma for Christian gatherings across the state — potentially precluding unvaccinated individuals from fully participating in the life of their local church.

Whether churches in New South Wales will follow the lead of the Australian Hairdressing Council and oppose double-standards for unvaccinated individuals remains to be seen.

One vehicle through which many church leaders have already voiced their disapproval is the Ezekiel Declaration. The Christian Democratic Party has also started a petition opposing the moves.

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Image by Samuel Martins on Unsplash.