In an special session parliament on Friday adopted the new covid law introducing the 2G+ regime in the hotel and catering sector and limiting events with more than 200 people. (Photo: Romain Gamba - Maison Moderne Publishing SA - Archives)

 In an special session parliament on Friday adopted the new covid law introducing the 2G+ regime in the hotel and catering sector and limiting events with more than 200 people.  (Photo: Romain Gamba - Maison Moderne Publishing SA - Archives)

Following the uncertainties linked to the Omicron variant, the new law introduces reinforced sanitary measures, including the application of the 2G+ regime in the country's bars and restaurants.

From Saturday, the 2G+ regime will be in force in Luxembourg after parliament adopted the new covid law at an emergency meeting on Friday. The aim is to anticipate the arrival of the Omicron variant even though the new regulations come only eight days after the adoption of the last covid law by MPs.

The opposition strongly criticised the government for not having anticipated the urgency of the situation a week earlier.  Prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) stressed that the country already has more than 60 Omicron cases compared to only 5 at the beginning of the week.

Mandatory vaccination to be debated in January

Before the vote in parliament, several MPs took to the floor to react to the issue. The CSV took the opportunity to submit a motion for a . "We can't go on like this. We will not introduce new restrictions every week. We cannot introduce new restrictions every week. Mandatory vaccination must be debated immediately and not next month,” said CSV president Claude Wiseler, urging the government to present a plan to make the vaccination obligation a reality.

The DP, through MP Gilles Baum, and the LSAP, through MP Georges Engel, proposed a consultation debate at the beginning of the year on the universal mandatory vaccination. "The subject should not be taken lightly,” said Engel.

Josée Lorsché, of déi Gréng, also seems to be in favour of compulsory vaccination, while indicating that a debate is needed in order to have a clear position on the subject.

Bettel also announced that minister of justice, Sam Tanson, was working on a law to introduce mandatory vaccination, but said that a slew of legal questions had to be examined before a draft could be submitted.

This story was first published in French on Paperjam. It has been translated and edited for Delano.