As Europe cracks down on the unvaccinated, foes take to the streets

ZURICH

Even before the shock emergence of the omicron variant, Europe’s coronavirus battle was on shaky ground.

Cases surging at a record pace, hospitalizations and deaths on the rise – it’s setting up to be a nightmare winter for the continent yet again. The omicron mutation has added an extra layer of uncertainty, but the continent’s immediate problem is grappling with the wave of infections that’s already put countries back into lockdown.

Germany’s government this week became the latest to ramp up its response, putting stringent restrictions on the unvaccinated, and may even make shots compulsory. Austria has already proposed mandatory vaccinations, while other countries plan to fine those who refuse.

The drastic steps are a response to a drastic situation. In Austria, sevenday cases topped 1,100 per 100,000 people at one point. That’s eight times the average over the preceding three months. Since the lockdown, the number has dropped, though hospital admissions, which lag, are still near a peak. Figures have been less dramatic elsewhere, though the trend has been up in many countries, including Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Greece.

The new targeted measures reflect a view that while there are multiple factors behind the latest wave of COVID-19 infections — from cold weather to people letting their guard down — one major element is vaccines. European Union countries may have managed to put about 640 million shots into arms, but even with that huge effort, about 150 million people still aren’t fully vaccinated.

Here’s what governments are doing:

German clampdown: Europe’s largest economy on Thursday joined the countries making life tougher for the unvaccinated, announcing that only people who are inoculated or recovered will be allowed into restaurants, theaters and non-essential stores. A vaccine mandate, which is backed by both Chancellor Angela Merkel and her incoming successor Olaf Scholz, will go to a vote in parliament in the coming weeks.

Greek fines: The government is making vaccines mandatory for all Greeks above 60 years of age.

From next month, refuseniks will pay a $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.

Switzerland’s recommendations: Swiss authorities on Friday urged people to work from home where possible, after failing to win backing for a mandatory home-office order, even for the unvaccinated. The government resisted imposing tough new rules, but said businesses such as bars and nightclubs have the choice to limit access only to those fully vaccinated or who’ve recovered from COVID-19.

Belgium’s schools: Belgium also announced new restrictions on Friday, though there were no measures specifically targeting

AAAAthe unvaccinated. Primary schools will close early for the Christmas break, and secondary schools must limit in-class teaching. Indoor events with more than 200 people are banned, and a mask mandate extended to anyone over the age of 6.

Austria’s lockdown:

The country with one of the lowest inoculation rates in western Europe will remain in lockdown until midDecember. The government plans 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 $8,151.

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.

South Africa vaccine requirements: The country is readying a mandatory vaccine policy and implement it early next year, according to a senior labor union official. Broad agreement has been reached in the National Economic Development and Labor Council, and the Congress of South African Trade Unions, which initially opposed forcing people to get inoculated, has now joined business groups in backing the move. About 5% of unvaccinated workers left their jobs when their employer imposed a vaccine mandate.

AAA