Unvaccinated people in Austria are now under lockdown [Video]

• Austria has ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people amid rising infection rates.
• Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg explained that the seven-day infection rate has been falling for vaccinated people but increasing for the unvaccinated.
• Unvaccinated people aged 12 years and older are prohibited from leaving their homes, unless for basic activities, and may face fines for violations.

A nationwide lockdown for the unvaccinated has been ordered by the Austrian government to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Unvaccinated people aged 12 years and older are prohibited from leaving their homes. A few exceptions include getting vaccinated and basic activities such as walking, going to work, or grocery shopping.

The nation has seen a rise in infections, with new daily cases reaching 11,552 on Sunday compared to the previous week’s 8,554. They now have a seven-day infection rate of 775.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants. That is a worryingly high figure when compared to neighboring Germany’s 289, which has already sounded the alarm.

Mortality rate has also increased. According to an APA report, the country’s coronavirus death toll stands at 11,706, with 17 new deaths reported on Sunday.

The rising infection rate in the country has authorities worried that the hospitals may soon be overwhelmed.

Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg declared that the seven-day infection rate has been falling for vaccinated people but increasing for the unvaccinated.

Schallenberg stated, “The rate for the unvaccinated is at over 1,700, while for the vaccinated it is at 383.”

Austria has a 65% vaccination rate, one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe. About 2 million of the country’s 8.9 million population are still unvaccinated.

On Sunday, the chancellor announced, “It’s our job as the government of Austria to protect the people. Therefore we decided that starting Monday … there will be a lockdown for the unvaccinated.”

The lockdown was only applied to children 12 and older because younger kids cannot get officially vaccinated yet.

Schallenberg said that additional forces will be deployed to assist police in patrols that will check people outside for proof of vaccination. Lockdown violations can result in fines up to 1,450 euros ($1,660).

The lockdown’s initial duration is set at 10 days.

Schallenberg also advised vaccinated people to get their booster shot to help the nation “get out of this vicious circle.”

Source: ABC News