The Epoch Times The Austrian government has said it won’t immediately enforce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate that would have forced most adults to receive a vaccine by mid-March or face fines.
The mandate, for people over the age of 18, was signed into law in February, coming about two months after it was announced in Austria’s Parliament. Austria was the first country in the European Union to enact such a measure.
Starting this month, Austrian police would have been able to check people’s vaccination status during traffic stops and on the street. Those who didn’t have proof of vaccination would have been asked in writing to provide proof or face fines of up to 600 euros ($653). For subsequent violations, the fines could reach 3,600 euros ($3,974).
Austria’s minister for the EU, Karoline Edtstadler, announced on March 9 that the law wouldn’t go into effect and said it represents an “encroachment of fundamental rights” that can no longer be justified…
