The government of France announced that new rules will be in place for cafe and restaurant visitors from France starting next week.
Jean Castex, the Prime Minister, stated that this controversial document would be mandatory for anyone who wants to go to cafes and restaurants, as well as other business, starting next week.
Meanwhile, Austria’s lower house of parliament passed a bill on Thursday making COVID-19 vaccinations compulsory for adults as of Febuary 1.
The bill’s passage brings Austria closer to introducing the first such sweeping coronavirus vaccine mandate in the European Union.
France and Austria made the moves amid rising Covid-19 cases across the continent driven by Omicron, a highly infectious variant.
According to official data, cases are rising in France and increasing in countries like Germany, Austria and Sweden. Even though cases are rising in Italy and Spain in particular, they seem to have stabilized in the last few days.
As cases increase on the continent however, Britain’s Covid statistics show that there is a way out. The UK has now one of the lowest rates, having peaked in January.
France’s government has announced new vaccination passport requirements for cafeteria and restaurant visitors starting next week. Pictured: Pedestrians walk near The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, 17 January 2022
Until now, a negative Covid test was sufficient for people in France to enter cafes, restaurants and other hospitality businesses, but a double vaccination and booster jab will from next week become essential to obtain a passport.
Castex stated that the vaccination pass would be in effect on Monday. “This wave isn’t over. But things are improving positively.
France set a new daily record in Covid infections with nearly half-a million cases.
Castex’s nation revealed 464 769 cases during the last 24 hours, in spite of several diktats being applied to stop the increasing case number.
Some of these included making children wear masks as early as 6 years old and banning them from drinking in cafés and bars.
Castex stated that such measures will be repealed within two weeks. However, vaccinations for children 12-17 years of age will begin on January 24,
“We must also advance vaccinations for children between 5 and 11 years old,” said the Prime Minister.
From February 2, outdoor masks are no longer required. Additionally, the number of home-based workers will decrease.
France’s strict passport policies are starkly opposed to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s.
Data from the French government shows that cases have increased in France while they are on the rise elsewhere, including in Germany, Austria (and even Sweden), and in the Czech Republic. Even though cases are rising in Italy and Spain as well, they seem to have stabilized in the recent days.
France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex speaks on Thursday, announcing the controversial new vaccine passport document that will become compulsory for those who want to visit cafes, restaurants and a range of other businesses from next week
Meanwhile, Austria’s parliament on Thursday approved making Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for adults from next month, becoming the first European country to do so despite a wave of protests opposing the measure.
Faced with an escalating number of infections and vaccine rejections, the Austrian government announced in November that it would be implementing the mandate. It has since raised the age at which the mandate applies from 14 to 18.
This bill now needs to be passed by the upper chamber and signed by President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Since November, mandatory vaccination was introduced in an effort to increase the nation’s vaccine rate. Tens of thousands protested in weekend rallies against it.
All other parties supported the measure with 33 votes for and 137 against.
Doris Bures second president of National Council stated, “It is adopted by the (necessary majority.”
Up to date, 72% of Austrians have received complete vaccination against coronavirus. This is in line with European Union’s average of less than 70%, but significantly lower than regional neighbors like France and Italy.
After an initial phase, the law will take effect from February 4. Those who continue to resist the jab could face stiff fines up to 3600 Euros ($4,100).
The original intention was to include everyone over 14 years old, but the government has now restricted coverage to only adults. Pregnant women are exempted from this measure, as well.
Pictured: Austrian parliament in Vienna, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. It voted for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccination mandates for adults. This is Europe’s first such mandate.
A majority of MPs from every party voted in favor of the law. The leaders of opposition Social Democrats and Liberal NEOS backed centre-right-green coalition.
FPOe (the far-right Freedom Party) was the only opposition. They have attracted anti-vaccination supporters.
FPOe leader Herbert Kickl attacked the law during Thursday’s heated parliamentary debate. He claimed it would lead to Austrian totalitarianism.
He pledged that he would refuse to be vaccinated in spite of the new law.
Before the debate, Karl Nehammer, centre-right, stated to reporters that vaccination is a way for society to have lasting, continuous freedom. The virus could not be restricted any further.
Wolfgang Mueckstein (Green Health Minister) appealed for citizens to question vaccine myths during the discussion on ‘all citizens’. He said that “all evidence suggests that the vaccines that are available in Austria is safe”.
Since the mandatory vaccination measure was introduced in November to increase the country’s vaccine rate, tens of thousands have protested in Austrian weekend rallies against the requirement.
Some Austrians are still not convinced by the benefits of vaccination. On Thursday, a few hundred anti-vaccination activists gathered near Parliament to make a loud protest.
Kerstin stated that she believed the law was against the constitution, and dismissed the fact that “we are supposed to have certain fundamental rights”.
Other presenters stated that not enough research had been done on long-term side effects of jabs, and they were unwilling to pay any possible fines.
The government declared Wednesday that it would set up security zones around vaccination centers and health facilities in order to allow police officers to turn away demonstrators.
The government will launch a lottery to encourage those still unsure. It will award 500 euro vouchers that can be used at shops, restaurants, cafes, culture centers, and other venues.
Austria has witnessed almost 14,000 Covid-related deaths, and nearly 1.5 million Covid-related cases over a nine-million population.
Daily infection rates continue to exceed records and reached a record high of over 27,600 Wednesday.
Globally, compulsory vaccinations against Covid still remain uncommon, but countries such as Ecuador, Tajikistan Turkmenistan and Indonesia have implemented them.