Austria could face new lockdown if residents refuse jabs

Monday, October 25, 2021

The Austrians refusing to get jabbed are being told they could face another lockdown. The Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said if cases continue to rise, he may be forced to issue anti-vaxxers with a stay-at-home order and ban them from certain venues.

Schallenberg is in a fight against time to stop ICU wards in the country from being inundated with unvaccinated Austrians.

The newly-appointed Chancellor announced that if COVID-19 patients in ICU reaches 500 – or 25 per cent of the country’s total ICU capacity – entry into venues like hotels and restaurants will be limited to those who have had both jabs.

If the number reaches 600 – or one third of total ICU capacity – the government could put in place restrictions that mean unvaccinated Austrians will need to stay at home and only leave the house for specific reasons. Currently, the number of COVID patients in ICUs stands at 220.

In a press conference on Friday, Schallenberg said that the pandemic is not yet in the rear view mirror.

In the past week, Austria has reported 20,408 new cases of the virus, according to health authorities, bringing the 7-day average to 228.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. A week earlier, that figure was at 152.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Although Austria’s government has encouraged citizens to get vaccinated, the effort has slowed in recent months.

Some 65.4 per cent of the total population has received one dose of the vaccine, and 62.2 per cent are fully vaccinated.

« Back to Page

• Explore Austria’s Shopping Scene: From Designer Outlets to Urban Boutique

• Who Can Get Long Term Five Year Schengen Visa ?

• Germany, Austria and Switzerland are top source market for Israel tourism

• Emirates teams up with Greece and Austria Tourism Offices to increase visits

• Emirates Marks Milestone in Austria with A380’s Celebrated Comeback