Greece to Impose Monthly Fine on Over-60s Who Refuse Covid-19 Injection
November 30 2021 - 5:56AM
Dow Jones News
By Cristina Roca
Greece will impose a monthly fine on citizens over the age of 60
who don't get vaccinated against the coronavirus, in a bid to stem
the spread and effects of the pandemic and protect vulnerable
people as the holidays near and a new variant begins to spread.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Tuesday that
vaccination against the coronavirus will from now on be mandatory
for the over-60 group.
Citizens above the age of 60 should have booked an appointment
to get their first dose by Jan. 16. If they fail to do so, they
will face a monthly fine of 100 euros ($112.94), he said.
"This is a decision that I have struggled with on a personal
level. However, I felt the responsibility to stand beside those who
are most vulnerable was greater," Mr. Mitsotakis said.
There are 580,000 unvaccinated citizens above the age of 60 in
Greece, he said.
Mr. Mitsotakis seemed unwilling to follow the footsteps of other
European countries, such as Austria, which have imposed broader
lockdown measures.
"Vaccinations, many tests, enforcement of the vaccination
certificate and many self-protection measures--this is the answer
and not a lockdown," Mr. Mitsotakis said.
Write to Cristina Roca at cristina.roca@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 30, 2021 06:41 ET (11:41 GMT)
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