Ontario, Canada (CU)_ Quebec, the Canadian province, is planning to levy a health tax on citizens who are not immunized against Covid-19. Quebec, which witnessed the most Covid-related fatalities in Canada, is now experiencing a severe outbreak, as the infection is mounting at a rapid rate. According to the reports from the premier’s announcement on Tuesday, the province will become the first in the country to impose financial penalties for those who had not been vaccinated. Despite the fact that just 12.8% of Quebec people are unvaccinated, they account for nearly half of all hospitalizations.
According to official data, only around 85 percent of Quebec citizens had gotten at least one vaccine dosage untill 1 January. Premier Francois Legault announced at a press conference that individuals who have not yet taken their first shot of vaccination would be required to make a contribution. He stated that the cost has not been determined yet, but would be a substantial amount. Mr Legault 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.”
The province stated last week that evidence of immunization will be required for purchasing at government-run cannabis and booze shops. Additionally, a curfew has been imposed, which is the second of the pandemic, from 22:00 to 05:00 everyday. Quebec’s Covid mortality rate hit 12,028 on Tuesday. This decision comes following the death of 62 people in the past 24 hours. The daily rate is close to that of January 2021, before the province’s massive immunization program.
According to provincial data, 45 percent of Covid patients in intensive care had not been immunized. Currently, Quebec hospitals have 2,742 Covid patients, including 244 patients in critical care. While Quebec is unusual, it is not the only state in the world that plans to levy a financial penalty on individuals who refuse to be injected. Greeks above the age of 60 have been ordered to pay a €100 (£85; C$142; $113) charge for every month they stay unimmunized beginning later this month. Singapore has ordered the unvaccinated Covid patients to pay for their own medical expenses.
