Vienna, November 19 (BNA) Chancellor Alexander Schellenberg said on Friday that Austria will impose a new nationwide lockdown starting on Monday and will make vaccination against Covid-19 mandatory from February 1.
The country is experiencing a severe fourth wave, with the seven-day infection rate per 100,000 population at 1,000, according to the latest available data, German news agency dpa reported.
Schallenberg said administrative penalties would be imposed for violations of the mandatory vaccination law. Details of the regulation will be reached in the coming weeks.
He said the new shutdown would “severely hurt,” but it was necessary. “We do not want a fifth wave, we do not want a sixth and seventh wave,” he said.
He added that the closure will be evaluated after 10 days and will last a maximum of 20 days.
People will only be allowed to leave their homes for shopping, urgent errands, going to work or exercising outdoors. Pubs and most shops will be closed.
All parents were asked not to send their children to classes if possible. However, schools will remain open to families who do not have childcare options.
From December 13 at the latest, the lockdown will end for those who have been vaccinated against the virus or who have recovered, Schallenberg said, adding that restrictions on non-vaccinators will remain in place.
NS