Kremlin views fines on Russians unvaccinated for Covid-19 as unrealistic

MOSCOW. Oct 11 (Interfax) - It is impossible to impose fines on Russians who refuse to get vaccinated for coronavirus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"No, in my opinion, such measures are unrealistic in our country," Peskov said at a press briefing on Monday.

He thus commented on a virologist's proposal on imposing fines of 5,000 rubles on unvaccinated persons to reimburse the government for the money spent on treating unvaccinated Covid-19 patients.

That would be at odds with the spirit of Russia as a social welfare state, Peskov said.

"The constitution declares our country a social welfare state, and President [Vladimir] Putin is the most committed to the social nature of our country. It's just a matter of the consciousness of our citizens and the need to understand that there is no other way to protect one's life except for getting vaccinated," Peskov said.

Every tool should be used to fight the pandemic, and first of all, the lack of alternative to vaccination should be explained, he said.