As cases have been rising in Canada, with record-breaking figures as a result of the Omicron variant's takeover, the government of Quebec will be punishing those who remain unvaxxed.
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Tough new measures in Quebec
The punishment will come in the form of a health tax that will be given out to those who refuse the jab. Though almost 90% of the entire province's population has been vaccinated against the coronavirus, Premier Francois Legault believes this is the only way to relieve pressure on their health system. In a statement during a press conference, he said:
I think right now it's a question of fairness for the 90% of the population who made some sacrifices. I think we owe them this kind of measure.
And added:
It's a question of equity because right now, these people, they put a very important burden on our health-care network. And I think it's normal that the majority of the population is asking that there be a consequence.
Currently, hospitals in the bilingual province's largest city—Montreal—are nearing dangerous levels of saturation, which have led them to have to refuse non-COVID related patients. With Quebec having the highest COVID related deaths in the country, the government has imposed a strict curfew—for the second time since the beginning of the pandemic—that starts at 10 PM and ends at 5 AM every day.
Where else are financial penalties being imposed?
By the end of January, unvaccinated Greeks over the age of 60 will be fined £100 for every month they continue to deny vaccination. Similarly, in Singapore, those who remain unvaxxed will have to cover their own medical bills should they get infected with the virus.
