Word on the street: Geraldton residents have their say on proof of vaccination rules

With proof of COVID vaccination requirements now in effect, the Geraldton Guardian took to the streets to ask locals how they are feeling about the new rules. Those like Jeff Miller who are fully vaccinated said they were not fazed by showing their COVID jab certificate. “I’ve had both of my jabs, so it doesn’t bother me,” he said. Mt Tarcoola resident Tammy said the new rules are “a part of life now” and she was “not too fussed about it”. Geraldton woman Nat said she got some practice using the ServiceWA app in Perth, where she had no trouble showing evidence of her vaccination. “I’ve been to Perth where you had to show proof for a lot of places and I didn’t find it a hassle,” she said. “One of the pubs were giving out wristbands, so you only had to show proof once. Other places you had to show it every time you went up to the bar, which was a bit annoying.” Local man Fraser said the vaccine requirements were “part of the new normal” and he was pleased the rules had been introduced. “I would like to be able to go somewhere and have the confidence that everyone is vaccinated, so there is that herd immunity,” he said. “It is just the new normal, most people are doing the right thing.” A Geraldton mother — who has received two jabs — said proof of vaccination was a positive initiative, but she worried some in the community may have difficulty adapting to the new rules. “I just don’t know how some of the bigger places in town are going to manage it when they have lots of people coming in at a time,” she said. “At my workplace, we have a lot of people who are older and not as accustomed to change, so it may be difficult for them.” Mt Tarcoola man Trent was happy to get vaccinated, but said he did not have access to proof of jab applications. “I’m double vaxxed but my phone doesn’t have internet so I can’t use the app,” he said. Drummonds resident Julie has also had trouble using the ServiceWA app. “Getting the identification sorted through the new app has been really painful,” she said. “The selfie I had to take for the passport verification didn’t recognise me.” Some businesses are concerned about how time and resource consuming the process of checking vaccine certificates will be. “No one is looking forward to it. We are going to bear the brunt of it,” one pub manager said. “Any fall-out is going to come back to us. Having to show proof of vaccination to get takeaway alcohol is ridiculous.” Wandina resident Tim said it would be difficult for understaffed venues to enforce the new rules. “It’s going to be pretty difficult for venues round here to police. They don’t have much staff as it is.”