Summary: The Austrian government, led by Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, who also holds a title as a Count, has ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people, claiming that rising coronavirus infections and deaths will overwhelm hospital staff; the lockdown begins at midnight Sunday and will initially last 10 days. Unvaccinated people 12 and older are not allowed to leave their homes except for basic activities such as working, grocery shopping, going for a walk — or getting vaccinated. Police will patrol to check for people who are not vaccinated and could be subject to a fine up to $1,660 if they violate the lockdown. Around 65% of the total population of 8.9 million people is fully vaccinated.
Chicago Tribune reports: The Austrian government has ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people starting at midnight Sunday to combat rising coronavirus infections and deaths.
The move prohibits unvaccinated people 12 and older from leaving their homes except for basic activities such as working, grocery shopping, going for a walk — or getting vaccinated.
Authorities are concerned about rising infections and deaths and that soon hospital staff will no longer be able to handle the growing influx of COVID-19 patients.
“It’s our job as the government of Austria to protect the people,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told reporters in Vienna on Sunday. “Therefore we decided that starting Monday … there will be a lockdown for the unvaccinated.”
The lockdown affects about 2 million people in the Alpine country of 8.9 million, the APA news agency reported. It doesn’t apply to children under 12 because they cannot yet officially get vaccinated.
The lockdown will initially last for 10 days and police will go on patrol to check people outside to make sure they are vaccinated, Schallenberg said, adding that additional forces will be assigned to the patrols.
Unvaccinated people can be fined up to $1,660 if they violate the lockdown.