Austria suspended the law on compulsory anti-Covid vaccination. This was announced by the government during a press conference in Vienna by Karoline Edtstadler, minister of the EU and of the Constitution.
With the Omicron variant "the vaccination obligation is no longer proportionate".
"Currently - he explained - there are numerous arguments in favor according to which this attack on constitutional rights is not justified, it is not necessary".
The situation will be reassessed in three months, added health minister Johannes Rauch.
The obligation in Austria came into effect at the beginning of February and checks were due to start in mid-March. Lately, however, numerous doubts had been raised about the real applicability of the provision.
The new government decision is also based on an opinion from the anti-Covid task force which confirms the usefulness of the vaccine, but suggests flexibility given the current situation, also in light of the fact that the dominant variant is not fully covered by the vaccine.
"Like the virus, we too have to adapt constantly," Edtstadler said. Precisely for this reason the law on the obligation is not revoked but only suspended, it remains on standby. "As a former judge, I am convinced that a law without sanctions is useless", the minister continued, adding that if the situation requires it in the autumn, the government will be able "to react in a very timely manner".
(Unioneonline / L)