Austria is having a high infection rate since the past one week. Around more than 800 cases are reported per 10,000 infections. This is the highest in Europe. About 65% people in Austria are fully vaccinated. This is the lowest vaccination rate in Europe.
The two million people who haven’t been fully vaccinated have been placed in a nationwide lockdown. Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said that “We are not taking this step lightly, but unfortunately it’s necessary”. Unvaccinated people have already been barred from visiting the restaurants, theatres, cinemas etc.
According to the new regulation, unvaccinated people would be allowed to leave work for limited activities like work and buying necessities. These measures would initially be effective for 10 days. Children under 12 years of age and the adults who have recently recovered from the infection are exempted from this regulation. The police would strictly check for vaccination status of the people.
This hasn’t gone down well with the people who are protesting outside the chancellor’s office calling this move discriminatory.
Meanwhile other European nations are also implementing restrictions to curb the infections.
