As the omicron variant spreads across Europe, leaders are tightening COVID restrictions and bringing in new rules to increase vaccination uptake.

In December the European Commission reduced the validity period of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) to nine months to encourage people to have boosters, based on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s recommendation that the third jab should be given within six months.

Next month Austria will become the first European country to mandate vaccination, with new rules meaning unvaccinated citizens face fines of up to €3,600 and bans from accessing public places.

Germany and the Czech Republic have both announced plans to make vaccination status the only means to qualify for a COVID health pass - no longer allowing negative test results or proof of having recovered from the virus.

The French parliament is also debating turning its COVID health pass into a ‘vaccine pass’, which would prevent unvaccinated people from accessing public spaces, such as bars and restaurants and public transport.

In October Italy became the first European country to require a COVID green pass for all workers. Germany followed in November with a rule requiring all workers to show proof of a negative test, vaccination, or recovery from COVID.

Sweden also brought in new legislation in December requiring citizens to have a COVID passport at all events with more than 100 people. More than 6,000 people in Sweden are reported to have had implantable microelectronic chips inserted under their skin to prove their vaccination status. The rice-sized chips, designed by Swedish startup Epicenter, measure 2mm by 6mm.

Meanwhile in England, the government has implemented ‘Plan B’ measures requiring citizens to have two injections and a booster or a negative lateral flow test to get into large venues.  The new rules, implemented on 15 December, also state children aged 12-15 must register vaccinations on the NHS COVID pass for international travel.

WHY IT MATTERS

Europe has been recording record numbers of COVID infections with 5,676,048 new cases and 41,525 deaths reported over the last seven days, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) (5 Jan).

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Anti-COVID measures and moves towards mandatory vaccination have led to widespread demonstrations across Europe, with some protests turning violent.

WHO regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, told a press conference in December that mandatory vaccination should be “an absolute last resort and only applicable when all other feasible options to improve vaccination uptake have been exhausted." 

ON THE RECORD

European commissioner for internal market, Thierry Breton, said: “The EUDCC has become a global standard. By reflecting the latest scientific insights on boosters, the certificate remains an essential tool to combat the different waves of the pandemic.

“Together with the large-scale production and supply of vaccines, the certificate will help member states accelerate the roll-out of boosters – a necessity to protect public health, while preserving the free movement of our citizens.”