Austria has announced state incentives for getting a coronavirus vaccine as it looks to boost public support for the EU’s first nationwide mandate.
The state will start a lottery for the vaccinated offering €500 euro (R8,624) handouts that are valid for hotels, restaurants and other services, Chancellor Karl Nehammer told reporters on Thursday. One in 10 distributed vaccine shots will be winners.
Municipalities will also get progressive state grants after reaching vaccination rates of 80%, 85% and 90%, respectively. About 72% of all Austrians have been inoculated so far.
Spending on the incentives may reach €1.4bn (R24.2bn).
The far-right Freedom Party has opposed the policy, and has led protests of tens of thousands of people in recent weeks.
The government has turned to a carrot-and-stick approach as it introduces the first compulsory coronavirus vaccinations in the EU. The regulation is likely to be passed by the parliament’s lower house with additional support from two of three opposition parties.
The far right Freedom Party has opposed the policy, and has led protests of tens of thousands of people in recent weeks. Multiple demonstrations were planned for Thursday, with police announcing a 300m security zone around parliament.
Despite the majority of the population supporting the vaccine policy, questions remain as to how the government can implement the mandate without excessive controls on society. It also comes as some countries scale back lockdown measures due to the Omicron variant causing milder symptoms.
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