Around 20,000 demonstrators have poured into the streets of Vienna, protesting the Austrian government’s plans to make Covid vaccination mandatory early next year.
The nationwide Covid-19 vaccination mandate was advertised by groups opposed to it. It is scheduled for introduction in February 2022. “mega-demo for freedom and against chaos and coercion.”
1.400 police officers from Vienna were deployed, with reinforcements coming from other areas, in order to stop major disturbances, and make sure that everyone is wearing masks.
Demonstrators marched with signs featuring slogans such as ‘No to compulsory vaccination’ and ‘Hands off our children’. Others demanded that the government step down.
Austria’s right-wing Freedom Party is among the groups behind the biggest anti-mandate protest being held on Saturday. Vienna authorities were notified this week by activists about 32 planned protests. However, not all are anti-mandate. For various reasons, eight protests were blocked.
Ahead of Saturday’s rally, the leader of Austria’s Freedom Party, Herbert Kickl, called on demonstrators to behave peacefully. Similar rallies attracted over 40,000 participants last week.
Alexander Schallenberg, the then-Chancellor of Austria, announced last month that everyone must get vaccinated before February 1st, except for those who have medical exemptions or children below 14. Although he resigned in the meantime, Karl Nehammer has stated that the policy will not change.
The conservative government announced on Thursday that those refusing to be vaccinated will face a €3,600 fine ($4,071) every three months until January 2024. Austria, if approved by Parliament, will become the first EU country to establish a comprehensive vaccine mandate.
Around 68% of Austrians have already been fully vaccinated against Covid – a rate notably lower than in most Western European nations. Austria has struggled to contain the massive Covid outbreak that broke out in November. Some doctors have even warned of the strain on the country’s healthcare system.
Around 68% of Austrians have already been fully vaccinated against Covid – a rate notably lower than in most Western European nations. Austria has struggled to contain the massive Covid outbreak that broke out in November. Some doctors have even warned of the strain on the country’s healthcare system.
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