ATHENS, GREECE – Residents of Greece over 60 will be fined 100 euros (more than $110) a month if they don’t get vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to the first general COVID-19 rule set by the country’s government announced.
This measure was published in response to an increase in the number of cases and the occurrence of the Omicron variant. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said it would come into effect on January 16 with the fine added to their tax bill.
Greece’s death toll surpassed 18,000 this week with confirmed infections at a record level, as around a quarter of the country’s adult population remains unvaccinated.
Vaccination mandates have been in place over the summer for paramedics and firefighters, with those who fail to comply subject to indefinite suspension without pay.
The government has ruled out imposing new lockdown measures but said it was targeting the elderly with tougher restrictions to protect the public health service as the ICU was nearing capacity across the country. nationwide.
“It is the Omicron variant that is a concern for us and means we have to be on the lookout,” Mitsotakis said.
“Unfortunately, out of the 580,000 unvaccinated people of our compatriots over the age of 60, only 60,000 made an appointment to get vaccinated in November,” he said. “But mostly people over 60 have to be treated in hospital and sadly lose their lives. These deaths are unnecessary.”
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