Vienna: Austria went to the national lockout on Monday morning to combat the soaring Coronavirus infection, a step that is watched by other European governments struggling with an outbreak of pursuing national health care system.
These measures are expected to last for a maximum of 20 days but will be re-evaluated after 10.
They require people to stay at home in spite of the basic reasons such as getting groceries, go to the doctor and exercise.
Restaurants and most stores must be closed and a larger event will be canceled.
Schools and child care centers can stay open, but parents are encouraged to keep their children home.
Austria hopes to lift measures on December 13 but can save further locking the unvaccinated.
New locking measures kick in a day after many residents of Austria rushed to enjoy the last day in coffeHouses and Christmas markets throughout the country.
Christmas markets throughout Central Vienna was packed Sunday with people who want to buy gifts and enjoy one last round of warm drinks and food.
Freyung at Christmas markets in Vienna, Alexandra Ljesevic and his sister Anna sipping wine and punch in the middle of the wooden seat and under sparkling holiday lights.
“ This is the last chance to feel the vibration of time and Christmas, ” said Alexandra Ljesevic.
The sisters said they felt more fortunate than most, because of their work will not be affected by the lockout.
But they are not optimistic that things will be reopened as soon as expectations of the authorities.
“ It would be strange if within 20 days they can say, ‘Okay, for those who are vaccinated, you are free to go,’ if the hospital was overwhelmed, ” said Anna Ljesevic.
“ That’s the only reason why we need to lockdown.
” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg also announced Friday that Austria will also introduce the vaccine mandate on February 1.
The details of how the mandate will not be clear.
In an interview Sunday in the newspaper Kurier, Schallenberg said it was `sad ” that the Austrian government should use the mandate to ensure that enough people are vaccinated.
Just under 66% of the 8.9 million Austrians are fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in Western Europe.
On Saturday, Austria reported 15 297 new infections, after a week in which the everyday cases reached 10,000.
Hospitals, especially those located in areas hit Salzburg and upper Austria, overwhelmed by the number of patients Coronavirus rise in the intensive care unit.
Schallenberg said he and other officials hope this summer that a new locking will not be necessary and it is a difficult decision to impose those that affect people who are vaccinated.
“ That the freedom people need to be restricted again is, believe me, it is also difficult for me to bear, ” he said.
The new measures, notably the mandate of the vaccine, has been met with fierce opposition among some skeptics Austrian vaccine and vaccines.
Protest Saturday in the capital Vienna attract 40,000 people, according to police, including members of the party and the group away.
Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said Sunday that the scene of anti-coronavirus that country radically.
A very diverse group of people who ” take part in anti-vaccination, said Nehammer, according to Austrian press agency, adding that included concerned citizens but also extremist right-wing and neo-nazi.
The most stringent measure Lockdown Austrian authorities have been introduced to combat a surge in infections and four deaths.
Earlier this month, the first time the government tried to suppress the unvaccinated people to get the jab, unless they are from restaurants, hotels and a great show.
Then officials locking implementing measures only for those who are not vaccinated.
Nehammer said on Sunday that the police conduct a check of 150,000 in just one week to see if people outside they comply with the new rules, according to APA.
At the Christmas market on Sunday in Vienna Chathausplatz Square, Rene Schlosser and Silvia Weidenauer sipping red wine on a red heart-shaped mugs.
They came for the day from their home in the Austrian Waldviertel region to catch a glimpse of the market before everything closed.
“ You have to accept it, ” Weidenauer said about the lockdown.
“ There is no other choice.
All you can do is hope that today when everything is closed actually have an effect.
”
Austria began the national lock to fight infection soaring
