Anyone who refuses or is still wondering whether to get vaccinated will have to be willing to pay for it. Literally and in cash.
Every time someone is caught not wearing a protective mask, the fine goes up many times over. If he has no money, he goes behind bars to lie down.
This is not a mass discussion of “understanders” of how vaccination campaigns should be conducted. Such measures have already been introduced or are being considered in Europe and around the world. In early 2022, they are very likely to be a reality in EU countries.
These are serious fines for individuals and companies, not the loss of income from putting unvaccinated people on unpaid leave or removing them from work, including the termination of the employment contract. There is also a serious problem – how to administer the enforcement and how to collect these fines – to which the authorities do not give a clear answer.
The effect was seen instantly – the number of adults signed up for vaccination jumped three times in 1 hour up to 1,500 people, the Kathimerini newspaper estimated. By the end of the working day, their number had reached 6,000, compared to an average of about 2,600 a day so far. In November, when strict restrictions were imposed on the unvaccinated, only about 60,000 of the 520-580,000 in this age group had set a dose, refusing to defend themselves and now filling intensive care units (according to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis).
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Before announcing the fine, the cabinet had already introduced a mandatory rapid test twice a week – another cost of about 80 euros a month, recalled Helena Smith, a correspondent for the Guardian in Athens. She added that the funds raised in this way go to a special fund to support the congested public health system. Mitsotakis also announced at least one “carrot” yesterday – in December and early January, free test kits will be distributed, with which people can check if they are infected and thus find asymptomatic cases in society much easier.