St. Gallen to issue 20.000-franc fine for refusal to get vaccinated

St. Gallen is drafting a new health law that would allow the cantonal government to introduce mandatory vaccination for certain groups of vulnerable people. Anyone who refuses could face a 20.000 Swiss franc fine.

St. Gallen proposes controversial health law clause

The cantonal government in St. Gallen is drafting a new health law. Article 18 of the revised law outlines how, under the federal Epidemics Act, the cantonal government could make vaccines mandatory for certain groups of vulnerable people when there is a threat to public health (such as a pandemic).

The proposed violations for anyone who refuses the mandate are proving to be particularly controversial, with people potentially facing a hefty fine of 20.000 Swiss francs. 

The draft law states that “anyone who intentionally or negligently fails to be vaccinated in violation of the mandatory vaccination requirement under Article 18 of this decree will be punished with a fine of up to CHF 20,000," reports Nau. 

St. Gallen proposal “violates human rights”

Nicolas Rimoldi, president of the political movement Mass-Voll, told Blick that the proposal “violates human rights,” including the right to physical integrity. Furthermore, “a fine means that the penalty must be served if one cannot pay it,” such as time in prison.

The law would set a “dangerous precedent”, Rimoldi continues. It “goes further than during the pandemic; we didn’t have such fines then.” Mass-Voll is expected to respond to the draft health law during the consultation process.

The federal government is also reviewing the Epidemics Act to incorporate any lessons learned from COVID-19 and “ensure that Switzerland can manage future health crises as effectively as possible,” according to the Federal Office of Public Health, reported by Blick.