Thu 02 September 2021:
Hundreds of healthcare workers in Greece marched through Athens this morning to protest against mandatory Covid vaccines for anyone working in their sector.
The regulation came into effect yesterday and any healthcare worker who isn’t vaccinated against Covid or recovered from the disease within the past six months will be suspended from work without pay.
According to initial data, as of Wednesday afternoon, 5,895 suspension notices had been issued for unvaccinated hospital employees – excluding employees of health centers and the EKAB ambulance service.
The Health Ministry has estimated that suspensions without pay will impact about 10,000 employees of public hospitals, health centers and other ministry bodies.
These notices had either already been served or were in the process of being delivered.
About 400 protesters marched outside the health ministry in the centre of the Greek capital, before marching to parliament accompanied by about a dozen ambulances, reports the Associated Press.
They say they are not against vaccinations, but object to making them compulsory, saying the measure will lead to staff shortages.
The Greek government claims is necessary to protect the most vulnerable amid a third surge of Covid infections in the country.
The Health Ministry issued a statement Thursday evening saying it was amending the regulation to allow suspensions to be lifted for health workers who get at least one shot from now on, on condition that they complete their vaccinations. Under the current rules, the suspensions would affect any health care worker not vaccinated by Sept. 1.
“The overwhelming majority of health care workers have not only been vaccinated, but fought a battle for the vaccination of the public,” the ministry said. “The law is being implemented for the few unvaccinated who are endangering the lives of people who turn to the health care system.”
The government has introduced a series of restrictions on those who aren’t vaccinated, including requiring weekly tests for workers and limiting access to certain entertainment venues to those who are fully vaccinated or recently recovered, as an incentive to boost vaccinations.
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