MONTREAL (AP) — The Premier of the Canadian province of Quebec, Francois Legault, announced Tuesday that adult residents who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will have to pay a financial penalty.
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Legault said that not getting vaccinated has consequences for the health system, and that not all Quebecers should pay for it.
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He stated that the penalty will only apply to people who do not qualify for medical exemptions. It is the first time that a government in Canada has announced a financial penalty for people who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
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The amount of the penalty has not been decided, but it will be “significant,” according to Legault. Details will be given later.
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He noted that about 10% of Quebec adults are not vaccinated, but they represent about 50% of intensive care patients.
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“Those who refuse to receive the first doses in the coming weeks will have to pay a new health contribution,” Legault said.
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“The majority calls for consequences… It is a matter of justice for 90% of the population who have made some sacrifices. We owe them.”
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Previously, the province of Quebec had announced a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., which will be lifted as soon as the situation improves.
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Quebec authorities reported 62 more deaths attributed to the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of people killed by COVID-19 in the province to 12,028, the highest number on record in Canada.
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In Greece, those over 60 have until January 16 to start getting vaccinated or they will be fined 100 euros ($113) for every month they don’t get vaccinated. The Austrian health minister announced last month that the government plans to impose fines of up to 3,600 euros (about $4,000) on people who do not comply with the coronavirus vaccination mandate it intends to introduce in February for all residents over the age of 14. years.
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Associated Press writer Rob Gillies contributed to this report from Toronto.
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