Worried by the Delta Plus variant, France and Greece have made it mandatory for healthcare workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19
France and Greece have made it mandatory for healthcare workers to get vaccinated for protection against Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Prior to this, Italy also made it compulsory for all the healthcare workers to get vaccinated. The United Kingdom (U.K.), which is all set to announce complete easing of restrictions from July 19, 2021 has also said that care home staff must get vaccinated.
Worried by the Delta Plus variant, the President of France – Emmanuel Macron said that all health care workers, care home employees and those who work with vulnerable and frail patients in France will have to be vaccinated by September 15, 2021. The unvaccinated health care workers will be banned from going to work and will not be paid after the September deadline.
Taking it to twitter Macron tweeted (translated from French), “Vaccination will be made compulsory by September 15 for all caregivers and staff in hospitals, clinics, retirement homes, establishments for disabled people and for those working in contact with the elderly or frail, including at home.” Original tweet in French:
La vaccination sera rendue obligatoire d’ici le 15 septembre pour tous les soignants et les personnels d’hôpitaux, cliniques, maisons de retraite, établissements pour personnes handicapées et pour ceux travaillant au contact des personnes âgées ou fragiles, y compris à domicile.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 12, 2021
Macron also said that vaccination is the only way to control the pandemic. He appealed to all the unvaccinated people to get vaccinated. He also hinted at the possibility of making the shot mandatory for everyone if the epidemic worsens.
Speaking to media, he said, “Depending on the situation, no doubt we will have to ask ourselves the question of mandatory vaccination for all the French.”
Macron also said that a health pass will be required at restaurants, cinemas, theatres and large-scale events. It will also be required to board long-distance trains and planes from August 2021.
Macron further tweeted (translated from French), “Our choice is simple: to put the restrictions on the unvaccinated rather than on all. This is the meaning of the health pass that will be extended.” Original tweet in French:
Notre choix est simple : faire porter les restrictions sur les non-vaccinés plutôt que sur tous.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 12, 2021
C’est le sens du pass sanitaire qui sera étendu. pic.twitter.com/Bk21ncGhNz
Besides, the Prime Minister of Greece – Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced immediate vaccination of all nursing home staff. Those who refuse will be suspended from work starting August 16, 2021. From September 2021, vaccinations will be compulsory for all health care workers in both public and private sectors.
Only those people who have taken the vaccine will be allowed to visit indoor commercial areas like entertainment centers, bars, theatres and cinemas.
He said, “The country will not shut down again because of the attitude of some. It is not Greece that is in danger, but the unvaccinated Greeks.”
Contrary to this, the Chancellor of Germany – Angela Merkel has said that her Government will not make vaccination compulsory. However, she also insisted that the country would not ease restrictions until more people have got their shots.
The recent statement by Israeli Government that existing COVID-19 vaccines may be slightly less effective in preventing all infections caused by the Delta variant, compared to previous strains. This has also made the European leaders cautious. Netherlands has reimposed restrictions on nightclubs and restaurants. The Prime Minister of Netherlands – Mark Rutte apologized for easing the restrictions in June 2021. Spain has introduced new restrictions on social gatherings and hospitality. Portugal has reinstated a curfew in some high-risk areas and said it would start requiring tourists to show a negative test or a vaccination certificate in order to stay in hotels.
