These Countries Are

Slapping the Unvaccinated

With Fines and Bans
 Greece plans to fine elderly citizens who don’t get a shot
 Germany may make vaccination against Covid compulsory
By
Bloomberg News
December 1, 2021 at 8:08 PM GMT+8
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In the battle against the coronavirus, the unvaccinated are being increasingly
targeted.

Germany and Israel are moving closer to making Covid-19 vaccine shots
compulsory, Greece is introducing fines and Spain is banning some
unvaccinated travelers. Despite protests, making life harder for those who
don’t want a shot is a tactic increasingly favored by governments, spooked by
the spread of the omicron variant.

Here are some of the measures against the unvaccinated deployed by

governments around the world.

Greek Fines

The government is making vaccines mandatory for all Greeks above 60 years
of age. From next month, refuseniks will pay a 100-euro ($113) fine every
month they don’t get a shot, with the funds going to hospital services. In
Greece, only 60,000 among the 580,000 unvaccinated people over 60 years
old received the vaccine in November.

Patients queue to get vaccinated against Covid-19, in Aristotelous Square, in the

center of Thessaloniki on November 26, 2021.
Source: AFP

Austria’s Lockdown
The country with one of the lowest inoculation rates in western Europe will
remain in lockdown until mid-December. Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg
has vowed to then lift restrictions for the vaccinated or people recently
recovered from the virus. A lockdown for the unvaccinated will probably
persist, though they can still go to work with a negative test. Officials are also
working on plans to impose mandatory vaccinations from February, with
fines reaching as high as 7,200 euros ($8,151).

Finland’s Bars

Bars and restaurants in Finland refusing to use Covid certificates will no

longer serve booze after 5 p.m. in the latest attempt by the government.
Health authorities in the northern town of Kajaani offered a thousand plastic
buckets to entice people to get a shot, playing off a joke that Finns will line
up for anything for a free bucket.

Spain’s Travel Ban

Spain has effectively banned travelers from the U.K. who aren’t fully
vaccinated. From Dec. 1, it will only accept proof of vaccination for adult
entry. U.K. government advice also says that a certificate of recovery from
Covid isn’t accepted either by Spanish authorities.
Hungary’s Crackdown

The government in Budapest allows employers make vaccinations

compulsory for staff in an effort to push people to get the shot. Anyone who
doesn’t can be placed on unpaid leave.

Slovakia’s Cash

Slovakia’s Finance Minister Igor Matovic wants to give out vouchers worth
500 euros to everyone over the age of 60 who gets vaccinated, including
those who have already received the shot. The vouchers, which could be used
in restaurants and hotels, are opposed by some forces in government, but
Matovic is hoping to push it through with the backing of some opposition
lawmakers in parliament.
Singapore’s Medical Bills
In Singapore, those who choose not to get their jabs will now have to pay for
their own medical bills if they get Covid. Patients who receive therapeutics
and stay in intensive care units may have to pay about S$25,000 ($18,460),
according to a median estimate released by the health ministry.

A customer purchases a Covid-19 self-test kit in Singapore.

Photographer: Lauryn Ishak/Bloomberg

Lithuania’s Certs

Many countries in Europe require vaccination certs to enter bars and

restaurants, but Lithuania has gone a step further. Citizens over 16 must
provide Covid immunity certificates to enter any restaurant or cafe, shopping
malls, cinemas, beauty salons or any other public indoor premises or events.
The rule will be tightened further from end of December and will apply to
everyone over 12-years.

The government is also paying paying 100 euros to people over age 75 who
get their booster shot before March 31.
U.S. Mandate
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration issued an emergency rule forcing
large private employers to require vaccination or regular testing. The Labor
Department said the mandate will apply to companies with 100 or more
employees and set a Jan. 4 deadline. Failure to comply could trigger fines of
as much as $136,000.

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About 5% of unvaccinated workers left their jobs when their employer

imposed a vaccine mandate, according to an October survey from the Kaiser
Family Foundation.

President Joe Biden speaks in Washington, D.C. The emergency rule is

applicable to businesses with 100 or more employees.
Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Ukraine’s Teachers
In Ukraine, teachers and government officials who aren’t fully vaccinated
have been sent on unpaid leave. Restaurants, shopping malls and fitness
centers are allowed to operate only if 100% of their staff got shots. Public
transport across the country is available only for vaccinated people.