Austria became the first country in the this Thursday European Union (EU) in establishing the vaccination against Covid-19 obligatory to try to stop the spread of the pandemic, despite the strong opposition that this measure arouses in the population.
The law, which takes effect on February 4, was passed by the Austrian parliament with 137 votes in favor and 33 against.
“Vaccination is the opportunity for our society to achieve sustainable and continuous freedom without the virus limiting us,” the Conservative head of government said. Karl Nehammer before the session.
This is “a topic of very intense debate,” he acknowledged.
The measure, announced in November to promote vaccination against increase in Covid-19 infections, was supported by the Greens – coalition partners of the Conservatives – and by the Liberal and Social Democratic parties. Only the extreme right opposed and hid behind the protection of individual freedoms.
Tens of thousands of Austrians have been protesting against the bill almost every weekend for months.
The protests forced the government to strengthen the protection of vaccination centers and from Covid-19 tests.
The leader of the far-right FPÖ party, Herbert Kickl, denounced a “project that opens the way to totalitarianism”.
“Today we do not have a majority in Parliament, but we have it outside,” Kickl declared, promising to challenge the law.
Destructible fines
The government claims that its purpose is not to multiply sanctions.
Refusal to be vaccinated will be subject to fines of 600 to 3,600 euros ($ 680 and $ 4,100), but will be lifted if the offender is immunized within two weeks.
The vote took place at a time when Austria was registering a record number of cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. On Wednesday, nearly 30,000 infections were registered within 24 hours.
About 72% of the 8.9 million inhabitants in Austria have the complete vaccination schedule, a figure lower than France The Spain.
According to figures from Ministry of Health, one and a half million adults have yet to be convinced.
To give the recalcitrant time to reflect, the checks will only start in March.
Minors over the age of 14 will not be subject to these sanctions.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx