About 10 days ago, the country announced that vaccination is mandatory for all citizens over the age of 14. And now the city is coming to hire security guards who will hunt down those who are not vaccinated and who will guarantee that they will pay the fine.
The reason for Austria and the city of Leeds. Austria has imposed compulsory vaccination for over 14 years and the city of Leeds, with a population of around 300, is doing its best to ensure that those who have not been vaccinated will pay a fair price.
Leeds in Austria
Because the fine for the unvaccinated reaches up to 3.600 euros within 12 months, depending on income and other financial obligations. So Leeds, which has the lowest vaccination rate in all of Austria, is looking for officials who will check residents' vaccination certificates and impose fines on those who do not want to be vaccinated.
According to the announcement published by the municipal council, the salary for the position will be at least 2.774 euros per month and the responsibilities include the preparation of criminal orders for the unvaccinated, the processing of appeals against the authority, the imposition of fines and other administrative duties.
Applicants must be Austrian citizens, vaccinated, have a high school diploma, some computer skills, be persistent, accurate and independent. And of course, if necessary if they can work overtime.
Leeds has only 63% of its population vaccinated, the lowest rate in the country. Austria became the first country in Europe to impose compulsory vaccination on almost the entire population. Authorities will send a reminder every three months to those who have not been vaccinated, telling them to get vaccinated or to find a doctor who can confirm that they cannot. Otherwise they will pay a heavy fine that can reach 900 euros. The annual fine can reach up to 3.600 euros this way.
The only ones who are excluded are children under 14, those who have health problems that do not allow them to be vaccinated and pregnant women. Austria was the first country to impose a lockdown again last month, but falling falls have lifted it, at least for the holiday season.