People in Austria, who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, have been placed in lockdown in order to tackle a surge in infections, which has reached record levels, and is putting an increasing burden on the intensive care units, stated the government.

Europe has again become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has urged some countries to consider re-imposing lockdowns. Austria has one of the highest infection rates in Europe, with a seven-day incidence of 815 per 100,000 individuals. 

Austria is the first country on the continent to have reintroduced the curbs on daily movements that were imposed during national lockdowns before vaccines were rolled out; however, now the restrictions apply only to a minority of the population. People who are not vaccinated can only leave their homes for limited reasons, such as going to work or shopping for essential items… (Reuters, November 14, 2021)