The omicron variant is wreaking havoc in the number of infections in much of the world and this has led several countries, at least in Europe, to have already chosen to implement compulsory vaccination for social and leisure activities. It is a very controversial measure, but one that some governments are adopting to stop the transmissibility of the variant detected in South Africa for the first time and that some economic sectors are stressed by the increase in sick leave.
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Austria was the first country in Europe to announce compulsory vaccination for everyone over the age of 18. The rule will begin to apply from February 1, with the threat of a fine that can range from 600 euros to a maximum of 3,600 per year.
In a year
Up to 3,600 euros fine in Austria
The measure, announced on November 19, has generated several massive protests since then, and has been supported by four of the five formations with parliamentary representation, all except the extreme right.
Italy is one of the European countries with the strictest measures regarding vaccination. So much so that it already requires those over 50 to be vaccinated. It has been doing so since January 8 and the controversial rule will be in force until June 15. It is a measure that was agreed with difficulties between the different political forces that support the Government of Mario Draghi.
A health worker, administering a dose of vaccine to a citizen in Turin, Italy
Those who do not comply with the regulations will be fined 100 euros and workers who do not have their vaccination status in order will not be able to access work from February 15, and may face penalties of between 600 and 1,500 euros.
Draghi assured that the approval of the measure responds “to the data”, since the unvaccinated “have a much greater probability of getting sick.”
Italy has just over 10% of the population over 12 years old without vaccination
Minister Roberto Speranza explained, for his part, that currently Italy has slightly more than 10% of the population over 12 years of age without being vaccinated, and it is these, those who are not immunized, who “occupy two-thirds of the units of intensive care and 50% of ward hospitalizations”.
In addition, since January 10, the complete guideline or having overcome the disease is requested to access practically all activities, from leisure to means of transport, including the metro and buses, while in the workplace those under 50 years of age they do not yet have to be vaccinated to go to work, except for law enforcement professionals, school personnel and health professionals.
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has in mind to implement the mandatory vaccine at a general level. For the moment, however, his government has not yet presented the corresponding bill. The purpose of the chancellor is that the regulation is approved with the maximum parliamentary support.
What Germany did approve in December was a bill that imposes the mandatory vaccine in sensitive labor sectors, such as geriatrics or health. The measure will not become effective, however, until March, the minimum period that is needed, according to what they have calculated, to have the complete guideline.
Fines also in Greece
In Greece, around 300,000 people over the age of 60 will be forced to pay a fine of 50 euros for not getting vaccinated or making an appointment to do so. This Monday the term that the government of the conservative Kyriakos Mitsotakis had given in November to this age group to be immunized against the coronavirus expired.
The fine will only be 50 euros during this month, since the measure has just come into force, but from February those over 60 who continue without taking the injection will pay a fine of 100 euros for each month they continue without doing so .
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The French Government, for its part, has preferred to avoid the obligation to be vaccinated, but instead imposes a vaccination certificate that will be necessary for many activities of social life from the end of this week, once a new law comes into force. which was adopted by Parliament last Sunday.
With this law, it will be necessary to demonstrate having the complete vaccination schedule (third dose included seven months after the first two punctures) if you want to go to a restaurant, the cinema or the theater or a stadium. But also to use long-distance public transport, such as buses, trains, planes or ships.
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The Czech Republic decreed the compulsory vaccination of certain public employees, such as health workers, soldiers, social workers and police officers, as well as those over 60 years of age, who should receive the immunogen before February 28.
This measure, implemented in December, will be reviewed next month, when the approval of a non-compulsory vaccination plan “similar to that of the flu” is expected, according to the head of Health, Vlastimil Válek.
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At the end of September, the Slovenian Constitutional Court suspended a regulation that required being vaccinated or having passed the coronavirus if you wanted to work in person in public offices.
This regulation adopted by the Government of the Prime Minister, Janez Jansa, was to enter into force on October 1 and was appealed by the Slovenian Police Union, considering that it was a covert compulsory vaccination.
Novak Djokovic, arriving in Belgrade after being deported by Australia
In Australia, vaccination is not compulsory among its citizens (although its states may establish it in certain circumstances and professions), but it is, since December 15, 2021, for those foreigners who want to enter the country. The tennis player Novak Djokovic knows this well, who has been deported for not being vaccinated (although he gave the Australian Government a pulse until the last minute to be able to play the Grand Slam of the Australian Open).
In the United States, the Supreme Court last Thursday blocked the plan of the Biden administration that required that all employees of large companies, with more than 100 workers, be vaccinated against covid or undergo tests on a regular basis. Despite the ruling of the high court, and according to the American media OregonLive, Nike has begun this weekend to lay off workers who are not vaccinated from its world headquarters, located near Beaverton, Oregon.
According to ‘Oregon Live’
Nike reportedly began laying off unvaccinated workers
The giant of the sports industry set a deadline of December 1 for the 14,000 workers of this headquarters to be vaccinated. Otherwise, he warned, the layoffs would begin on January 15. And, it seems, he is making good on his threat. It will be necessary to see what justice has if these cases end up in court.
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