Austria starts compulsory corona vaccination – vaccination lottery postponed for the time being
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fromKatja Thorwarth
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In Austria, compulsory corona vaccination will come into force on Saturday (February 5th, 2022) despite many protests. The Alpine Republic is the first country in the EU to take this measure.
Update from Saturday, February 5th, 2022, 7:47 p.m.: In addition to the introduction of general vaccination requirements, the government in Vienna actually wanted to start a “vaccination fleet” for all vaccinated people as an incentive for a corona vaccination. Vouchers over 500 euros should be raffled off. These should then be redeemable in shops, restaurants, hotels, cultural and sports facilities. Every tenth vaccinated person has the chance of a voucher, it was said in advance.
However, the face was probably put back at first. The incentive campaign could possibly be postponed by a few months, the conservative-green coalition announced on Friday (February 4th, 2022). The public broadcaster (ORF), which should arrange the lottery, expressed organizational and legal concerns. Other organizational options are now being examined.
Austria starts compulsory vaccination: there are high fines for those who are not vaccinated
All unvaccinated people in Austria should receive a letter asking them to be vaccinated against the virus with the approved corona vaccines. In Austria, the corona vaccination has been compulsory since Saturday (February 5th, 2022) for practically all residents over the age of 18. Those who refuse to vaccinate face high fines – but only after a transitional period until mid-March.
Other countries in the EU have so far only decided to make vaccination compulsory for certain professional groups such as hospital staff. Due to the lower vaccination rate and high number of infections, a general obligation to vaccinate has also been discussed in Germany for weeks. The Bundestag will probably decide on this in March.
Corona vaccination compulsory in Austria from today: fine of up to 3600 euros for violations
First report from Saturday, February 5th, 2022, 12:00 p.m – Vienna – After long discussions and despite numerous protests, Austria is the first country in Europe to introduce general corona vaccination on Saturday (February 5th, 2022). Both Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer signed the corresponding law on Friday, which had been passed by the Austrian Federal Council the previous evening. It was then published in the official gazette. Thus, the obligation to vaccinate comes into force.
According to the law, exceptions are provided for pregnant women and those affected who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons. 180 days Genese are exempt from the corona vaccination obligation. There is also a “grace period” for all Austrians over the age of 18: Compliance with the vaccination requirement will only be checked from mid-March.
This makes Austria the first country in the EU to use such a measure in the fight against the corona pandemic. The vaccination requirement, against which there were many demonstrations in advance, should apply to all people over the age of 18 residing in Austria. Anyone who violates this will be asked to pay: penalties of 600 to 3600 euros are provided in such cases.
Corona vaccination obligation in Austria: fines announced for violations
In Austria, 69 percent of people are currently fully vaccinated against the corona virus. More than 14,000 people have died from Covid-19 since the pandemic began. Almost two million infections were registered in the country of nine million people
In order to increase the poor vaccination rate, the Austrian government had already wanted to create a vaccination incentive in advance with a corona vaccination fleet. But the campaign, which was announced in parallel with compulsory vaccination, will probably have to be postponed by a few months, the conservative-green coalition announced on Friday. The public broadcaster ORF, which was intended to implement the lottery, is unable to carry out the project for legal reasons. Alternatives are now being examined.
Corona vaccination obligation: Austria wants to create incentives with vaccination lottery
The plan was to issue vouchers of 500 euros for every tenth vaccination, which could be redeemed in restaurants and cultural institutions. Lawyers and ORF editors expressed concerns as to whether this action, with a value of up to one billion euros, was compatible with the role of an independent broadcaster. (ktho/dpa/afp)
List of rubrics: © Tobias Steinmaurer/dpa