By Francois Murphy

VIENNA (Reuters – Austria will lock down millions of non-vaccinated coronavirus-infected people as of Monday, to combat a rise in the number of infections at record levels and growing pressure on intensive-care units.

Europe is the epicentre https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/covid-19s-epicentre-again-europe-faces-fresh-reckoning-2021-11-12 of the COVID-19 pandemic again, prompting some governments to consider re-imposing unpopular lockdowns. Austria is home to one of Europe’s highest rates of infection, with an average 7-day incidence rate of 815 for every 100,000.

“We don’t take this step lightly, but it is essential,” Alexander Schallenberg said at a press conference to announce the new measure. Under the new plan, unvaccinated persons can leave their homes only for certain reasons. These include shopping or working.

Austria is home to approximately 65% of its population, which has one of the lowest COVID-19 rates in Western Europe. The far-right Freedom Party is the third largest party in parliament, and many Austrians remain skeptical about vaccinations.

Monday’s measures will be in addition to those taken a week earlier, which prohibited unvaccinated people from certain places, including hotels, restaurants, theatres, and ski lifts.

The Netherlands has imposed a partial lockdown to deal with the surge in cases, but Austria’s conservative government is avoiding further restrictions for those fully vaccinated.

In reality, we told only one-third of the population that they will no longer allow you to leave your apartment except for certain circumstances. Schallenberg stated that this is a significant reduction in contact between the vaccinated, and those who are not vaccinated.

Next week, Germany’s federal government will meet with the leaders from 16 German states to discuss tightening of measures. Austria has been already given a high risk status by Germany, which means that anyone arriving from Austria will have to be quarantined. This is a major blow for Austria’s winter tourism sector.

Australia recently introduced targeted measures, with 83% of 16-year-olds and over fully vaccinated. Some states mandate vaccinations in certain professions, and prohibit people from dining out or engaging in other activities that could lead to outbreaks.

Singapore is home to 85% of Singapore’s population who have been fully vaccinated. The government has stated that those who choose not to be vaccinated will need their own medical insurance starting next month.

Austria’s lockdown will not be applied to children under 12 years old or those who have just recovered from COVID-19. It will last initially for 10 days according to Wolfgang Mueckstein, the Health Minister.

Numerous officials including those from Schallenberg’s Conservative Party and the Police have voiced doubts that this lockdown could be effectively enforced since it only applies to a small percentage of the population. Karl Nehammer (Interior Minister) stated there will be rigorous police checks.

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