AUSTRIA: The government in Austria recently decided to fine people aged 14 and above every month for refusing compulsory COVID-19 vaccination.
Austria's conservative-led government announced its plan to make coronavirus vaccines compulsory, saying holdouts would face charges of up to 3,600 euros ($4,071) every three months, and it would apply to people aged 14 and above.
The vaccination rate against COVID-19 among Austria's population, i.e., 68 per cent, has been one of the lowest in Western Europe. Many Austrians are sceptical about vaccines. Their view was encouraged by the far-right Freedom Party, the third-biggest in parliament.
Earlier, the Austrian government announced a fourth national lockdown as COVID-19 infections set records. Moreover, it also announced to make vaccinations compulsory for all and became the first European Union country to mandate.
Thousands of people started to protest in Vienna against COVID-19 restrictions after Austria's government announced a new lockdown and made vaccines compulsory next year.
The COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which must be approved by parliament, is due from February 1 and last through January 2024. Two opposition parties supported the government decision and suggested it would pass without hassle.
