Thousands of Austrians protest against mandatory Covid vaccination

An estimated 2,500 people demonstrated against Austria’s Covid-19 measures on Saturday (January 29) at a rally in Vienna’s Heldenplatz square. The protesters waved Austrian flags and displayed placards with slogans against mandatory vaccination, which one protesters said was “poison for all of mankind.”

Austria has introduced mandatory vaccinations from February, with the health ministry saying people who have not been vaccinated by March 15 will be committing an administrative offence. From March 15, police will carry out random checks such as at road blocks and offenders will face legal proceedings.

People aged 18 and over with an address in Austria are affected by the new regulation, according to Austria’s health ministry. Saturday’s demonstration coincided with Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s announcement that COVID-19 related restrictions would be eased next week, allowing shops and restaurants to remain open longer and easing some restrictions on the unvaccinated.

However, those who are not vaccinated against or recovered from the virus remain barred from taking part in a range of leisure activities, including eating in restaurants or shopping for non-essential items.