Even before the advent of the new version of the coronavirus, Omicron, Europe had begun to suffocate in the fight against the disease. Morbidity has set records in many countries, hospitalizations and mortality have begun to increase and this has caused nightmares for the winter months among politicians on the continent, writes Bloomberg, quoted by investor.bg.
The advent of the Omicron option only adds to uncertainty, although Europe must first cope with the weight of the current wave, which has brought back blockades in some countries.
And this time the unvaccinated are the target. The German government was one of the last to impose restrictions on people who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus, and is even discussing the possibility of making vaccination mandatory. In Austria, there is already official talk of a mandatory vaccine, and in other European countries there will be fines for those who refuse to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Officially, the President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen also raised the issue, commenting at the end of the week that it was time for the community to discuss mandatory coronavirus vaccination.
The move is drastic, but it is a response to a drastic situation, according to Bloomberg. In Austria, the seven-day incidence reached a level of 1,100 per 100,000 inhabitants. That’s eight times the average for the last three months. That is why at the end of November the authorities in the country returned the complete blockades and since then the incidence has dropped, but the hospitalizations are still too many.
The figures are less dramatic in other parts of Europe, although the trend is up in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece. PThe reasons are a mixture of factors – cold weather and weakening immunity, as well as the level of vaccination in the EU. Community countries have administered a total of 640 million doses, but 150 million Europeans have not yet been fully vaccinated. Vaccination is the policy where efforts will be focused in Europe, the agency predicts.
This is how they will work in some EU countries
Europe’s largest economy has made life difficult for the unvaccinated – only the vaccinated and the sick will be able to visit restaurants, theaters and shops that do not sell basic necessities. The mandatory vaccine is supported by both outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel and her successor, Olaf Scholz.
Greece
The government has made vaccination mandatory for everyone over the age of 60. All those who refuse will pay a fine of 100 euros each month, and the funds raised in this way will go to a special fund that will fund hospitals. In November, only 60,000 people out of 580,000 unvaccinated Greeks over the age of 60 were vaccinated.
Switzerland
Swiss authorities have called on people to work from home when possible, as they have failed to make distance work compulsory, even for the unvaccinated. The government is preparing new restrictions, but said bars and nightclubs could restrict access to unvaccinated people or people who have not had the virus. Switzerland has also banned the access of unvaccinated travelers from some countries.
Belgium
Belgian authorities have also tightened measures, although there are no special restrictions for people without the vaccine. Young students will go on holiday earlier for the Christmas holidays, and high school students will limit attendance. Indoor events for more than 200 people are banned, and masks become mandatory for anyone over 6 years old.
Austria
The country, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe, returned to the blockade by mid-December. The plans are then to remove the restrictions for those vaccinated and those who have fallen ill. But the unvaccinated will probably be able to go out and go to work with a negative test. Mandatory vaccination from February 2022 is also being considered in the country, and the fine for all those who refuse it will be 7,200 euros.
Spain
Spain has banned travelers from the UK who have not been fully vaccinated. From December 1, entry into the country is only with proof of completion of a course of vaccination against coronavirus. Certificates of illness are not recognized.
However, restrictions on the unvaccinated are not limited to Europe and are becoming an increasingly popular measure, especially with the advent of the new option. According to studies in South Africa, where omicron originated, the probability of re-infection is three times higher than in previous versions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) commented that at this stage it is clear that the new option is more contagious, adds CNBC. Omicron variant is established in 38 countries around the world.
Experts point out that in this variant there are 30 mutations in the spike protein used by the virus to enter the human cell. Some of these mutations are associated with the ability of the virus to evade the immune response. At this stage, it is too early to assess how severe the disease is, according to the WHO.
The first studies show that the symptoms are mild, but the first patients are students – young people, and probably the course in older people may be more severe. Experts point out that in the beginning all patients start with mild symptoms and in some of them the disease ends like this, and in some it is even asymptomatic. In others, however, the disease is severe.
South Africa is reporting an increase in hospitalizations, but more data are awaited to see if there is an increase in mortality.
There is also talk in the country of a mandatory vaccine, which could be introduced in early 2022. There is already widespread support from various institutions and organizations. Many companies have vaccinated their employees, which has increased the rate of vaccinations in South Africa, Bloomberg reports.
Outside of Europe, the United States also relies on mandatory vaccination. Companies with more than 100 people have until January 4, 2022 to vaccinate their employees. About 5% of Americans quit their jobs if my employers asked them to get vaccinated against coronavirus, according to a survey in October.
In Singapore, they have a different approach – the unvaccinated pay the bill for coronavirus treatment. For hospital treatment and stay in the intensive care unit, it can reach an average of 18.4 thousand US dollars.
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