Austria plans to introduce fines of up to 36,000 kronor for those who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid. The fines will apply to citizens over the age of 14, and the new regulations will apply from February.

The announcement was made on Thursday by the country's Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein and the regulations are scheduled to be introduced on February 1st next year.

Already last month it became clear that Austria, as the first EU country, planned to introduce mandatory Covid vaccination in early 2022.

Mueckstein also said that pregnant women will be exempt from the requirement – but at the same time emphasized that the recommendation for vaccination also applied to this group.

People who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons are also exempt, as are people who have been sick with COVID-19 and have recovered in the last six months.

For those who are not vaccinated and cannot provide any exceptional reasons, the penalty could be as high as 36,000 kronor (3,600 euros). People's income level and any financial assets will be taken into account.

The government's proposal is supported by a majority of the opposition parties in parliament.

Source: TT)