Court rejects request to suspend mandatory vaccination of Covid-19 against Greek doctors / Article

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has rejected a request to temporarily suspend the introduction of compulsory vaccination for all health professionals in Greece.

The claim had been filed by 30 health care professionals asking the court to order interim measures to suspend the claim, but the ECtHR ruled on Thursday that the issuance of such an order was beyond its authority to impose such measures.

Such measures are seldom imposed and only in cases of imminent danger or irreparable damage. The court did not comment on the compulsory vaccination itself.

Under the new rules, which came into force in Greece last week, any health worker who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19 or contracted the disease in the last six months is suspended from duty without retention.

This summer, the Greek parliament passed a law mandating vaccination for all health professionals, including nursing home workers. The government says such a move is needed to protect the most vulnerable during the third wave of Covid-19.

In a country with a population of 10.7 million, 5.8 million people have been fully vaccinated. The number of infections and deaths has increased in the summer and the number of hospitalizations is starting to strain the health care system.

In Greece, from 13 September, new restrictions will be imposed on people who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19, as well as free testing of non-vaccinated people. Depending on the profession, private and public sector employees will have to take tests at their own expense once or twice a week.

University students will have to pay for two quick tests per week, but students will be given free test kits.

Free tests in public bodies will only be provided to those who have been vaccinated or have clear symptoms of coronavirus.

Rapid tests will continue to cost ten euros, which is a relatively large amount in a country with a minimum gross salary of 650 euros.

Under the new rules, cafes, restaurants, clubs and sports facilities will only be accessible to vaccinated people or residents with immunity certificates.

Cinemas, theaters, museums and fitness centers will also be open to non-vaccinees, but will be required to present a negative test within 48 hours.

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