Quote from Financial Times,
Austria’s government has said it will put forward legislation to make vaccination against coronavirus mandatory for all citizens from early next year, making it the first country worldwide to do so, as infections continue to rocket higher.
It is time “to face reality”, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told a news briefing on Friday, as he imposed a three-week lockdown for all Austrians.
The government has begun to draft legislation making vaccines obligatory, Schallenberg said, but the process will require extensive consultation, making February the likely earliest date at which it could come into force.
“We have too many political forces in this country who fight against vaccination,” the chancellor told reporters in Tyrol, following late night discussions with Austria’s state governors. “Despite campaigns, [too many] people have still not got vaccinated.”
The consequence of allowing resistance to continue, he added, was “endless human suffering”.
From midnight on Friday all bars, restaurants, non-essential shops and entertainment venues will all close in Austria until December 13. Schools will remain open.
After December 13, the lockdown will be maintained for unvaccinated people. A review will be conducted in 10 days’ time, at which point some relaxation of the rules may be allowed.
Austria’s government has said it will put forward legislation to make vaccination against coronavirus mandatory for all citizens from early next year, making it the first country worldwide to do so, as infections continue to rocket higher.
It is time “to face reality”, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told a news briefing on Friday, as he imposed a three-week lockdown for all Austrians.
The government has begun to draft legislation making vaccines obligatory, Schallenberg said, but the process will require extensive consultation, making February the likely earliest date at which it could come into force.
“We have too many political forces in this country who fight against vaccination,” the chancellor told reporters in Tyrol, following late night discussions with Austria’s state governors. “Despite campaigns, [too many] people have still not got vaccinated.”
The consequence of allowing resistance to continue, he added, was “endless human suffering”.
From midnight on Friday all bars, restaurants, non-essential shops and entertainment venues will all close in Austria until December 13. Schools will remain open.
After December 13, the lockdown will be maintained for unvaccinated people. A review will be conducted in 10 days’ time, at which point some relaxation of the rules may be allowed.