Many countries have taken measures against vaccinations being deployed by governments around the world.
In the war against the corona virus, those who do not get vaccinated are increasingly being targeted.
Germany and Israel are moving to make COVID-19 vaccine shots mandatory, Greece is imposing fines and Spain is banning some unvaccinated travellers. Despite protests, making life harder for those who don’t want a shot is a strategy increasingly supported by governments, stymied by the spread of the ‘Omicron’ variant.
Here are some of the measures against vaccination imposed by governments around the world.
greek fine
The government is making vaccines mandatory for all Greeks over the age of 60. Starting next month, Refusionnik will pay a 100-euro ($113) fine every month, won’t get a shot, and the money will go to hospital services. In Greece, only 60,000 of the 580,000 people over the age of 60 received the vaccine in November.
Austria’s lockdown
The country with the lowest vaccination rate in Western Europe will remain in lockdown until mid-December. Chancellor Alexander Schellenberg has then vowed to lift restrictions for people vaccinated or who have recently recovered from the virus. The lockdown will likely continue for unvaccinated people, although they can still go to work with a negative test. Officials are also working on a plan to introduce compulsory vaccinations from February, with fines of up to 7,200 euros (8,151).
Finland’s Barso
Bars and restaurants in Finland will no longer serve alcohol after 5pm, refusing to use COVID certificates in the government’s latest effort. Health officials in the northern city of Kajani offered a thousand plastic buckets to entice people to take a shot, joking that Finns would be willing to do anything for a free bucket.
travel to spain
Spain has effectively banned travelers from the UK who have not been fully vaccinated. Starting December 1, it will only accept proof of vaccination for adult admission. The UK government’s advice also says that a COVID recovery certificate is not accepted by the Spanish authorities either.
Hungarian action
In Budapest the government allows employers to make vaccinations mandatory for employees in an effort to motivate people to get the shot. Anyone who does not may be placed on unpaid leave.
Slovakia’s Cash
Slovakia’s Finance Minister Igor Matovic wants to give 500-euro vouchers to everyone over the age of 60 who are vaccinated, including those who have already received the shot. The vouchers, which can be used in restaurants and hotels, are opposed by some forces in the government, but Matovic is hoping to push it forward with the support of some opposition lawmakers in parliament.
Singapore medical bills
In Singapore, people who don’t want to take their jobs now have to pay their own medical bills if they get COVID. According to an average estimate released by the Ministry of Health, patients who receive therapeutics and stay in intensive care units may have to pay around S$25,000 ($18,460).
A customer buys a COVID-19 self-test kit in Singapore.
Certs of Lithuania
Many countries in Europe require a vaccination certificate to enter bars and restaurants, but Lithuania has gone a step further. Citizens above 16 years of age will have to produce a COVID immunity certificate to enter any restaurant or cafe, shopping mall, cinema, beauty salon or any other public indoor premises or events. This rule will be further tightened from the end of December and will apply to all people above the age of 12 years.
The government is also paying 100 euros to people over the age of 75 who get their booster shot before March 31.
US Mandate
US President Joe Biden’s administration issued an emergency rule requiring large private employers to vaccinate or routinely test. The Labor Department said the mandate would apply to companies with 100 or more employees and set a January 4 deadline. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to $136,000.
According to an October survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, about 5% of unvaccinated workers left their jobs when their employers implemented the vaccine mandate.
US President Joe Biden speaks in Washington, DC on November 3.
teachers of ukraine
In Ukraine, teachers and government officials who have not been fully vaccinated have been sent on unpaid leave. Restaurants, shopping malls and fitness centers are allowed to operate only if 100% of their employees get shots. Public transport across the country is available only to vaccinated people.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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