2G and 2G+ rules excluding unvaccinated people from certain activities are justified, says health minister Paulette Lenert Photo: Christophe Lemaire/Maison Moderne

2G and 2G+ rules excluding unvaccinated people from certain activities are justified, says health minister Paulette Lenert Photo: Christophe Lemaire/Maison Moderne

Health minister Paulette Lenert (LSAP) has said that pandemic restrictions impacting people who aren’t vaccinated are justified even as the country has supported a Council of Europe saying citizens should not be pressured to get jabbed.

The Council of Europe, an international organisation including 47 European countries, in January 2021 passed a on covid-19 vaccines. This states that countries should “ensure that citizens are informed that the vaccination is not mandatory and that no one is under political, social or other pressure to be vaccinated if they do not wish to do so” as well as ensuring that “no one is discriminated against for not having been vaccinated, due to possible health risks or not wanting to be vaccinated.”

The resolution has been cited across social media platforms to argue against vaccine certificates and has also been referenced in two petitions--to end the CovidCheck regime or to hold a referendum on it--that are set for a after receiving more than 4,500 signatures.

“The government stands by the resolution,” Lenert said in answer to a on Tuesday. But the CovidCheck regime aims at “protecting society as a whole,” she added. “At the moment, the number of unvaccinated people is still too high.”

Reduced vaccine efficacy over time in addition to the emergence of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, “at this point in time don’t allow for various activities to go ahead without any safety measures,” Lenert said. “Above all, these restrictions are important vis-à-vis of people who show different risk factors and risk a severe course of infection, to protect them as best as possible.”

Resolutions by the Council of Europe aren’t legally binding for member states of EU countries. The document also encourages countries to combat vaccine hesitancy to ensure uptake of shots, calling them “the world’s most effective instrument against the pandemic so far.”

The assembly also “calls on parliaments to exercise these powers, as appropriate, also in respect of the development, allocation and distribution of covid-19 vaccines.” Pandemic measures in Luxembourg must be approved by a simple majority in parliament to come into effect.

The latest rules--including the , adding a mandatory rapid antigen tests for people who have not yet received a booster shot--were voted into force on 24 December.

Prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) meanwhile has requested for a --whether across society or for specific professional groups--to be held in parliament. He had said in December that he wants a decision by mid-January.

Related articles