Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg stated that a nationwide lockdown will be imposed on people who have not received the Covid-19 vaccine from Monday.
Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said on Sunday that as EU member states are battling a record surge in cases, they will begin a nationwide lockdown on those who have not received the Covid-19 vaccine or who have recently recovered from Monday. .
Of the nearly 9 million people in Austria, about 65% are vaccinated, which is lower than the EU average of 67%, and this week’s daily increase in the number of infections hit a record.
Sharonberg told reporters:
The situation is serious…We will not take this step lightly, but unfortunately, it is necessary.
The lockdown means that people over the age of 12 who have neither been vaccinated nor recovered recently cannot leave their homes, except for reasons such as buying necessities, exercising, or seeking medical care.
In the next 10 days, random checks will be carried out to enforce the blockade of the entire Alpine country. Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein said it will be reviewed later.
Parliament-controlled by Schallenberg’s conservative green coalition-is expected to approve the measure later on Sunday.
Schallenberg and Mueckstein once again called on those who have not yet been vaccinated to be vaccinated.
Also starting from Monday, Vienna will be the first area in the European Union to provide vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 at the capital vaccination center.
The city said it had booked appointments for more than 5,000 children when registration began on Saturday.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has not authorized the use of any vaccine for this age group, but member states have the right to do so in a public health emergency.
Last week, the government has stated that only those who have been vaccinated or recovered from the virus can enter restaurants, hotels and cultural venues.
To date, approximately 11,700 people in Austria have been infected with the coronavirus. On Saturday, the daily number of new cases hit a record high, with more than 13,000 new infections.
