Austria announces temporary lockdown till at least December 13

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Winter in Austria is especiallybeautiful!

As the temperatures dip, cities and towns across the country change into icy wonderlands with festive markets, snow-covered forests, winter sports and frosty mornings.

However, if a trip to Austria is on your radar this year, you might want to postpone on booking your flight just yet.
It is because the European country is delaying leisure travel as part of new measures it is bringing to combat a fourth wave of Covid-19.

From November 22, Austria has announced a temporary lockdown that will last until at least December 13. It could be extended for up to 20 days, according to the country’s chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg.

“Austria’s borders are open, but given the upcoming lockdown, travel to Austria for touristic purposes will only be possible again after December 13,” said a statement on the country’s official tourism website.

Austria previously reopened to tourists from the UAE in July. The start of the winter season will now be delayed until after December 13.

As part of the initial 10-day lockdown, people in Austria need to stay home as much as possible, only going out for approved reasons, such as buying groceries, going to the hospital, for a doctor’s appointment and for exercise.

The measures are being implemented to help curb the spread of Covid-19, with case numbers increasing rapidly in recent weeks, with Austria recording a record high of 15,809 new cases on Friday. Austria’s hospitals are struggling with patient numbers with infection rate about 1,000 per 100,000 people, which is one of the highest in Europe.

After December 13, if the lockdown is relaxed, Austria will implement a 2G-rule, which will mean vaccination or proof of recovery will be mandatory to enter public places.

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