By Francois Murphy

VIENNA (Reuters – Austria placed a lockdown on those not vaccinated against the coronavirus Monday, as Europe approaches winter and infected rises across Europe. Germany is considering tighter controls and Britain expands its booster programme for younger people.

Europe is once again the epicenter of pandemic. This has prompted some European countries to reconsider imposing sanctions in the lead-up to Christmas, and sparked debate about whether vaccinations are sufficient to control COVID-19.

When people are indoors, COVID-19 is more likely to spread.

Last week, Europe accounted for over half the global average 7-day infection and half the latest deaths according to a Reuters tally. This is the highest level since April 2013, when the virus reached its peak in Italy.

Companies and governments are concerned that a prolonged pandemic could derail an economic recovery.

Austria’s conservative-led government stated that two million citizens of the nation of nine million are now restricted from leaving their home for reasons such as travelling to work, or to shop for necessities.

There is widespread doubt, even among police and conservatives, as to how lockdown will be implemented. It is difficult to determine, for instance, if someone is going to work or shopping for other non-essential goods.

“My objective is very clear, to get those who aren’t vaccinated to get them vaccinated, rather than to lock up those already vaccinated,” Alexander Schallenberg said on ORF radio. He explained why the lockdown was necessary, which was made public Sunday.

This is an attempt to stop a record-breaking rise in infection rates, which has been fueled by the low vaccination rate (around 65%), one of the lowest levels in Western Europe.

“YOU CAN SEE THAT I AM VERY ANGRY”

Germany’s federal government will meet with the heads of 16 state governments to discuss pandemic plans.

Drei German state ministers of health urged the parties in negotiations to form a government to extend the power of states to use stricter measures, such as school or lockdowns. The seven-day COVID rate was at record highs.

In a Saturday video message, Angela Merkel from Chancellor Angela Merkel asked people not vaccinated to reconsider.

Merkel stated that “Difficult Weeks lie ahead of Us, and You can See That I Am Very Worried,” in her weekly video podcast. Everyone who isn’t vaccinated must immediately reconsider.

France, France, and countries throughout Eastern Europe have also seen an increase in the number of infections.

Officials in Britain announced Monday that they will expand their COVID-19 vaccine rollout to those aged 40-49 to increase waning immunity before the colder months.

Boosters are currently available to all over-50s. Those who are medically fragile or frontline workers can also apply. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation stated that the rollout will be expanded.

China is fighting the largest COVID-19 epidemic in its history, after the virus was discovered in late 2019. The numbers were announced Monday by officials. They are focusing on travellers coming from Dalian, a northeastern Chinese city, because the infection has grown more quickly than other areas of the country.

Chinese authorities reported that 32 domestically transmitted diseases with confirmed symptoms had been identified by Chinese authorities on Sunday. The majority of these infections were located in Dalian.

Although China has fewer infections than other countries, the Beijing Communist Party leaders have maintained a strict zero tolerance approach to infection, focusing on those who are most at risk.

Israel declared on Sunday that vaccines are available for children five- to eleven years of age. A public start date was set for the campaign within days.

After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had granted emergency use, this decision was taken Pfizer BioNTech and (NYSE:) have developed a vaccine that is safe for this age group in a 10 microgram dosage.

Additional reporting from Josephine Mason in London and Alistair Smout, Emilio Parodi, Milan, Victoria Waldersee, and Maria Sheahan, Berlin; Writing and Editing by Nick Macfie.