Nine Customs workers fired after refusing COVID-19 vaccine Newshub 3 hrs ago Customs has fired nine staff members after they refused to have the COVID-19 vaccine. In a statement provided to Newshub, Customs deputy chief executive of people and capability Jacinda Funnell confirmed nine non-vaccinated workers were served a notice of early termination. "We regret that these individuals have had to leave employment, and understand what a difficult situation this is for them," Funnell said. In accordance with New Zealand's COVID-19 response, Customs is barred from having unvaccinated staff work in certain high-risk areas from May 1. The nine sacked staff members were maritime border workers, their unvaccinated status meant they were no longer allowed to work in this area.