France pulls a brake immediately for a wave of Omicron still impetu and adopts the super green pass for clubs and trains. But at the same time it initiates an exit path from the emergency phase which begins on February 2nd. The situation of instability that has instead convinced Austria to continue on the path of compulsory vaccination for adults. As soon as it has been approved in parliament, it will start on February 4th. In the meantime, the lockdown has been extended by ten days.

This content was published on January 21, 2022 – 1:03 pm

January 21, 2022 – 13:03

A decision, announced by the French government, which takes into account the strength of the health system. In Austria, on the other hand, efforts remain focused on the battle against no vax: the parliament, first in the EU, has approved the mandatory immunization requirement for adults since February.

France has once again registered over 400,000 new infections. An impressive figure, which however does not cloud some “encouraging signs”, noted Prime Minister Jean Castex. Explaining that “the Delta variant has become very minority, Omicron has started to decline and ICU bed occupancy has been declining for a week.”

With this in mind, the government deemed it appropriate to plan an initial slowdown of the restrictions. Thus, on February 2, the obligation to wear masks outside, the obligation to smart working will be eliminated and the audience limits in stadiums, cinemas and theaters will fall. On the 16th the discos will reopen.

At the end of the month, upon returning from the winter holidays, the anti-Covid health protocol in schools will be put to an end. But first it is necessary to keep with the vaccinations, trying to convince the many skeptics. And from Monday the super green pass will come into force, on the Italian model, to access bars, cafes, cinemas and long-distance trains.

The first phase of the lifting of the restrictions is launched in the United Kingdom

Great Britain is far ahead towards a return to normality, where the first phase of the lifting of restrictions has taken place, from smart working to the obligation of masks in schools. The second stage will start on January 27, when the legal obligation to wear masks in public places and the mini green pass provided only for access to discos or mass collective events will be eliminated. The logic is to “continue with our lives with sensible, appropriate and proportionate measures”, summed up the Minister of Health Sajid Javid, imagining a long coexistence with Covid that may need a vaccination per year.

Proportionate measures to avoid economic and social paralysis, insofar as the increase in infections does not dramatically impact hospitalizations. The whole of Europe is progressively orienting itself on this.

And this will be discussed on Saturday by the ministries of health of the 27 convened by the French presidency of the EU to coordinate national strategies. Sweden has also reduced quarantine times and asked those who work from home to avoid testing to make room for people who have to move.

The compulsory vaccination in Austria

Austria confirms the entry into force from February 4th of the compulsory anti-Covid vaccination for adults, with fines between 600 and 3,600 euros for offenders.

In Austria, 71.5% of the population has already received a complete vaccination scheme, while on Thursday 27,000 people demonstrated in Vienna against the obligation, accused of violating individual freedoms.

The unvaccinated will receive a summons for the first dose and those who do not show up will be mulated. The law provides for up to four fines per person.