Thousands of anti-vaccine protesters have taken to the streets in all major Austrian cities. In Vienna alone, roughly 2,000 people took part, paralyzing downtown traffic during the afternoon rush hour.

Thousands more demonstrated in mainly peaceful events in the eight other regions.

 

As music played from loudspeakers, marchers lit flares and held aloft placards with slogans including: "Hands off our children" and "No to compulsory vaccination." 

Austrian flags, as well as those from Germany, Serbia and France could be found among the crowds. Masks, which are mandatory, were a rarity, however.

Two weeks ago, more than 40,000 people protested in Vienna against the government's anti-COVID-19 measures, a record number since the beginning of the pandemic. The following weekend saw similar numbers come out across the country. Austria is home to around 9 million people.

The demonstrations, which have become a regular occurrence, are directed against Austria's government, which recently imposed a full lockdown and mandatory vaccinations for the entire population.

Two-thirds of Austrians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, a lower percentage than in most other Western European countries. Currently, Austria has one of the highest seven-day incidence rates in Europe, with 854 cases per 100,000 people, although new infections have declined a little since the full lockdown began a week ago. 

However, the number of patients in intensive care units has not declined, with hospitals in some regions near full capacity.  

Fines

On Tuesday, the government convened experts at a round table to work out details of the announced compulsory vaccination law. It is increasingly likely that it will apply from the age of 14, as this corresponds to the age of criminal responsibility.

According to media reports unvaccinated people are likely to be sent two notices to vaccinate before a fine of around $4,000 could be imposed. Continued refusal to comply would trigger another fine at the same level.

Polling suggests more than half of Austrians support a vaccine mandate, up from around a quarter in the summer.

Greece is currently planning compulsory vaccination for people aged over 60 and Germany is considering a parliamentary vote on a vaccine mandate. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also suggested a general vaccination requirement that might apply throughout the EU.