- Title: Thousands protest in Vienna against COVID restrictions and vaccine mandate
- Date: 11th December 2021
- Summary: VIENNA, AUSTRIA (DECEMBER 11, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING THROUGH THE STREETS OF VIENNA
- Embargoed: 25th December 2021 16:41
- Keywords: austria coronavirus omicron pandemic protest vaccine mandate
- Location: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
- City: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
- Country: Austria
- Topics: Europe,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001F7LFSQV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of people, many of them far-right supporters, protested in Austria's capital Vienna on Saturday (December 11) against coronavirus restrictions and compulsory vaccination.
Noisy crowds, cheering, whistling and banging drums, streamed into Heroes' Square in central Vienna.
Many protesters waved flags and carried signs with slogans such as "no to vaccine mandate" and "no is no".
Austria's conservative-led government on Thursday (December 9) gave details of its plan to make coronavirus vaccines compulsory, saying it will apply to people aged 14 and over and holdouts face fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,071) every three months.
Roughly 68% of Austria's population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, one of the lowest rates in western Europe.
Many Austrians are sceptical about vaccines, a view encouraged by the far-right Freedom Party, the third biggest in parliament.
"I demonstrate for the freedom of choice on whether I want to be vaccinated or not.
I think this should be an individual decision," Rene said after listening to far-right leader Herbert Kickl, who recently caught COVID-19.
"I think, we should not let the government get away with the vaccine mandate. What will come next?", he added.
"I am not against the vaccine itself or other decisions related to the vaccine, but I am against the vaccine mandate because it is an experimental vaccine which has not been tested properly yet," Cosima, a nurse, said, while holding a banner reading "I would rather be fired than vaccinated."
The vaccine mandate, which must be approved by parliament, is due to start in February and last through January 2024.
Two opposition parties support it, suggesting it will pass easily.
There will be exemptions for pregnant women and people who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons.
(Production: Lisi Niesner, Elena Gyldenkerne) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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