COVID-19: Austria imposes lockdown on unvaccinated citizens

Europe is now accounting for more than half of the average seven-day cases worldwide and around half of the latest deaths – the highest levels since April last year when COVID-19 was at its initial peak in Italy.

Austria is placing millions of people not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in lockdown as of today as Europe becomes the epicenter of the pandemic once again.

Anyone over the age of 12 who has not been double-jabbed is now only allowed to leave their homes for work, school, exercise, and buying essential supplies – with the lockdown affecting about two million of Austria’s 8.9 million population.

The revived restrictions came into force at midnight on Sunday and will last for 10 days before being reviewed.

The country’s health minister said further measures are being considered, including a 10 pm night-time curfew for everyone regardless of their vaccination status.

Wolfgang Mückstein said a decision would be made on Wednesday, adding: “We’re all in the same boat.”

Mr Mückstein also justified the new lockdown because of the “dramatic situation” in Austria’s ICUs.

Europe is now accounting for more than half of the average seven-day cases worldwide and around half of the latest deaths – the highest levels since April last year when COVID-19 was at its initial peak in Italy.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES