Austria bars unvaccinated from restaurants, public gatherings amid rise in COVID cases

Amid rapidly rising coronavirus cases in country, Austrian government issued new COVID-19 regulations barring unvaccinated people from visiting restaurants, hotels, salons, or attending public garings with more than 25 people.   regulations will come into effect from Monday, November 8, reported Associated Press (AP). After a meeting with state-level leers on Friday, November 5, Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg laid down regulations.

"It is simply our responsibility to protect people in our country," he stated, noting rising number of cases and overcrowded intensive care units in hospitals. Earlier, people in country were allowed to visit restaurants, hotels, and or public places provided y h been vaccinated, recovered from virus, or h a negative test result. For first four weeks, government is planning a transition phase to urge those who have not been vaccinated to get shots. During that time, anyone who has taken at least one vaccine dose and has a valid PCR test result will be allowed to attend events visit public places.

However, after completion of four weeks, only fully vaccinated people will be given relaxations. Notably, similar limitations were issued earlier this week in Vienna, Austria's capital city. If situation continues to deteriorate, more limitations on unvaccinated people likely to be imposed. Last month, Schallenberg indicated that if ICUs reach one-third of ir overall capacity, government will impose lockdown restrictions on citizens who remain unvaccinated, reported news agency. 

'Austria has one of lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe'

As of now, 66.7% of Austria's population has received at least one dose of vaccine, and 64.5% of people are fully vaccinated, making it one of lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe. Austrian government stated that people are eligible for booster shots if six months have passed since ir last dose. Calling it a "moral responsibility," Chancellor Schallenberg urged unvaccinated people to get shots as soon as possible, reported AP.

Meanwhile, to ramp up PCR testing, Upper Austria is introducing more at-home PCR tests, known as 'gurgle tests' in country. In dition, region is also expected to launch a "vaccination lottery" - modelled after a successful scheme in Burgenland. Under this scheme, prizes will be awarded at random to fully inoculated citizens, reported Local. 

(With AP inputs)

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