AUSTRIA IMPOSES A NATIONAL LOCKDOWN ON UNVACCINATED PEOPLE

Sun 14 November 2021:

The Austrian government has ordered a statewide lockdown for anyone who have not been immunized against COVID-19, in an effort to stem the disease’s rapid spread in the country.

In recent weeks, the country has faced a worrying trend in coronavirus infections. On Sunday, it reported 11,552 new cases, up from 8,554 a week ago.

The ban, which takes effect at midnight on Sunday, prevents unvaccinated adults over the age of 12 from leaving their houses except for essential tasks such as working, food shopping, going for a walk — or getting vaccinated.

Authorities are concerned about an increase in deaths and the fact that hospital staff will be unable to handle the increased number of COVID-19 patients.

“It’s our job as the government of Austria to protect the people,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told reporters in the capital, Vienna, on Sunday. “Therefore we decided that starting Monday … there will be a lockdown for the unvaccinated.”

According to the news agency APA, the lockdown affects over 2 million people in the country of 8.9 million people.

The lockdown will initially last 10 days, and police have been requested to inspect persons outside to ensure they are vaccinated, according to Schallenberg, who added that more officers will be on patrol to control the lockdown.

If they do not comply with the rules, unvaccinated people can be fined up to 1,450 euros ($1,660).

Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe, with approximately 65 percent of the overall population fully vaccinated.

“With the vaccination rates as they are, we will stay stuck in a vicious cycle” of infections, Schallenberg said. The “shamefully low” uptake in vaccination had to be forced upwards, he added.

The seven-day infection rate stands at 775.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In comparison, the rate is at 289 in neighbouring Germany, which has already also sounded the alarm over the rising numbers.

Schallenberg pointed out, While the seven-day infection rate for vaccinated people has been down in recent days, it has been rapidly increasing among the unvaccinated.

(with agency)

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