Due to a sharp increase in the number of new cases of infection with the coronavirus, the Austrian government is introducing a national lockdown starting Monday, November 22. It will spread to all residents of the country, including those who have been vaccinated and those who have been sick. This was announced today, November 19, by the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg.
"Now we have to face reality. Too many political players in this country are against vaccinations. The result of this is overloaded resuscitation and people's suffering," said Chancellor Alexander Shallenberg.
Austrians will have to work from home, all shops, except grocery stores, will be closed, and only those children who for various reasons cannot study remotely and need face-to-face lessons will be able to attend schools.
Such rules will be in effect until December 12, but in 10 days their necessity will be discussed again.
In addition, from February 1, 2022, vaccination against the coronavirus will become mandatory in Austria. This can make it the first European country to take such a step.
"We don't want the fifth wave, we don't need the sixth and seventh waves, the virus will not go away, but will remain," the Chancellor of Austria noted.
In Austria, whose population is slightly more than 9 million people, almost 6 million people have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, and more than 6,1 million people have received at least one vaccination.
Note that the data for the last week showed that the incidence rate in the country was 990 cases per 100. человек, and the Minister of Health, Wolfgang Mueckstein, said that with such figures, the introduction of quarantine is an extreme, but necessary, measure.
