The Federal Council of Austria approved a bill Thursday that requires all adults in Austria to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, bringing the mandate one step closure to taking effect.  The bill was passed by a vote of 47 to 12.

Austria’s bill is the first sweeping vaccine mandate in the European Union. The mandate is expected to be carried out in phases and will likely take effect within days, after it is signed by President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. All adults 18 years of age and older will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Currently, approximately 69 percent of Austria’s population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which is among the lowest rates in western Europe.

On March 15, police will begin to verify individuals’ vaccination status during regular patrol stops. Those who cannot show proof of vaccination will be asked to do so in writing. If they do not, they will be fined up to 600 euros.

On an unspecified later date, more thorough checks will begin in Phase 3. “I hope that we will not need Phase 3 at all. If (health) experts say that in their assessment it is not necessary, if constitutional lawyers say it is not proportionate, Phase 3 will not happen,” Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein stated before the upper house passed the bill. Mueckstein explained that with the vaccine mandate, Austria “isn’t simply reacting, but we are taking a forward-looking and active step.”

Simultaneously, Austria plans to ease pandemic-related restrictions throughout February. The unvaccinated will no longer be barred from entering restaurants and non-essential restaurants, which they have been barred from since November, because intensive-care bed occupancy is at “a good level.”