Now it is official, the lockdown for the unvaccinated in Austria starts tomorrow - Monday 15 November. Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg decided this after a meeting with the governors.
The lockdown, which will not apply to those under 12 who still cannot get vaccinated, will affect 2 million people in the country that has 8.9 million inhabitants. It will last, for the moment, ten days. Police have been asked to check people around to make sure they are vaccinated. No vaxes will only be able to go out to work, buy food or drugs, go for a walk or get vaccinated.
"We have to increase the vaccination rate. It is shamefully low," the chancellor said. "The situation is serious - he added - we are not taking this step lightly but unfortunately it is necessary". In Austria 65% of the population is vaccinated, the lowest rate among Western European countries.
The weekly incidence of infections is 814 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants, very high. The pressure on hospitals is high, with 2,282 Covid patients in ordinary wards and 421 in intensive care.
(Unioneonline / L)