Unvaccinated Austrians could face COVID-19 lockdown, chancellor says

Unvaccinated individuals in Austria might face new lockdown restrictions if coronavirus case numbers proceed to rise, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg stated Friday night time.

The information got here after a Friday night assembly between Schallenberg and state-level leaders to debate their response to quickly growing case numbers.

“The pandemic just isn’t but within the rearview mirror,” Schallenberg stated. “We’re about to stumble right into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”

Schallenberg introduced that if the variety of COVID sufferers in intensive-care models reaches 500, or 25 % of the nation’s complete ICU capability, entrance into companies comparable to eating places and lodges will likely be restricted to those that are vaccinated or recovered from the virus.

If the quantity reaches 600, or one-third of complete ICU capability, the federal government plans to impose restrictions on unvaccinated individuals. On this case, they might solely be allowed to depart their houses for particular causes.

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At the moment, the variety of COVID sufferers in ICUs stands at 220.

Previously week, Austria has reported 20,408 new instances of the virus, in line with well being authorities, bringing the 7-day common to 228.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Every week earlier, that determine was at 152.5 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Though Austria’s authorities has inspired residents to get vaccinated, the hassle has slowed in latest months. Some 65.4% of the full inhabitants has obtained one dose of the vaccine, and 62.2% are totally vaccinated.

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