Austrian MPs Approve Europe’s First Vaccine Mandate

The Associated Press reports:

Austria’s parliament voted Thursday to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults from Feb. 1, the first of its kind in Europe. Lawmakers voted 137 to 33 in favor of the mandate, which will apply to all residents of Austria aged 18 and over. Exemptions are made for pregnant women, people who for medical reasons can’t be vaccinated, or who have recovered from a coronavirus infection in the past six months.

From mid-March, police will start checking people’s vaccination status during routine checks; people who can’t produce proof of vaccination will be asked in writing to do so, and will be fined up to 600 euros ($685) if they don’t. Fines could reach 3,600 euros if people contest their punishment and full proceedings are opened. Neighboring Germany is considering a mandate for all, but it’s not yet clear whether, when and in what form that will go ahead.

Read the full article.

Photo: Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

In the video below, Russia state media covers anti-vaxxers protesting outside Austria’s parliament building during today’s vote. Austria, like most European countries, has seen widespread anti-vax and anti-lockdown protests.

Austria’s parliament has approved a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults starting Feb. 1. It’s the first of its kind in Europe.https://t.co/hShsU8cczY

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 20, 2022