FINES OF UP TO €3,600: MANDATORY VACCINATION RULES COME INTO FORCE IN AUSTRIA

Sat 05 February 2022:

It’s official, Starting this Saturday, Austrians over the age of 18 must get vaccinated against Covid-19 or face a large fine, a first in the European Union.

The new law, which was approved by Parliament on January 20, was signed into law by President Alexander Van der Bellen on Friday, capping a process that began in November in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variety.

Despite domestic opposition, the government decided to stick to its new harder stance.

“No other country in Europe is following us on compulsory vaccines,” said Manuel Krautgartner, who has campaigned against the new approach.

Despite the threat of such a drastic measure, the vaccination rate in Austria has still failed to take off, languishing below the levels seen in France or Spain.

Vienna vaccination centres remain relatively quiet.

Non-vaccinated people are currently excluded from restaurants, sports and cultural venues.

The law applies to all adult residents with the exception of pregnant women, those who have contracted the virus within the past 180 days and those with medical exemptions.

Checks will begin from mid-March, with sanctions ranging from 600 to 3,600 euros ($690-$4,100).

They will, however, be lifted if the person fined gets vaccinated within two weeks.

According to a recent poll, more than 60% of Austrians approve the plan, although vast swaths of the population remain strongly opposed.

Thousands of people flocked to the streets in the weeks following the announcement of the new law to oppose what they saw as a radical and punitive policy.

Critics have also questioned the need for compulsion, considering the Omicron variant’s much milder nature.

Compulsory vaccination, on the other hand, is aimed at defending the country from fresh waves as well as combating new variants, according to Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein.

Vaccination passes for specific professions or activities are becoming more common in a increasing number of countries.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent