It’s official: Austrians over the age of 18 must from this Saturday, February 5, be vaccinated against Covid-19 or risk incurring a heavy fine. For now, the Austrians have not rushed to the vaccination centers.
Barely 75% of the population received at least two doses, a lower rate than in Spain or France. And it is not certain that this trend will change because the new measure seems drastic on paper, even if it provides for many exceptions.
Pregnant women or those who have already contracted the virus less than six months ago are not affected. For the others, you should know that the checks will not begin until mid-March. The fines could then reach up to 3,600 euros, if they are really applied. Because the regional administrations which will have to sanction the refractory to the vaccines fear to be overwhelmed by this additional work.
In any case, people who have not been vaccinated will still be able to go to work, provided they present a negative test. Moreover, the vaccination obligation is accompanied by a relaxation of health measures. To go to a restaurant, a negative test will soon suffice.
All that for this ?
” So, all that for that? asked an editorial in the press a few days ago. The Austrian government is aware of this because part of the population, admittedly a minority, contests the new measure. And that the latter only strengthens the party anti vax MFG which won 17% in a municipal election two weeks ago.
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