A fine of EUR 1,500 for unvaccinated people in Austria if they do not comply with the lockdown. 2 million are under lock and key

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A police officer checks the certificate of a woman who wants to shop at a clothing store in Vienna. PHOTO: Reuters

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At a restaurant in Vienna with PCR only, even for people with 2 doses

Two million unvaccinated Austrians have been stranded in their homes since Monday. Anger among people is growing amid reports that police are already conducting random street checks and fining up to 1,450 euros. The strict measures affect over 20% of the country’s citizens with a population of 8.9 million.

To people without a certificate of vaccination or illness

they are forbidden to leave their homes

its except for core activities

such as going to work, school, university, church and walking. They can only shop in grocery stores, pharmacies and drugstores, as well as use postal and banking services. They are allowed to ride public transport. According to the Bulgarian Embassy in Vienna, participation in elections is allowed for everyone.

An exception is made for children under 12 years of age and students, for whom the rule for testing several times a week remains.

Interior Minister Carl Nehammer said police would check anyone they came across. “The lock is not a recommendation, but an order,” he said. But there are widespread doubts as to whether compliance can be enforced. It would be difficult to check, for example, whether an unvaccinated person has really gone to work or is going to buy food. People with two doses are counted as vaccinated. Those with only the first needle need to have a PCR test to lift their exit ban within 48 hours.

The lockdown will last ten days – until November 24. The government

consider and impose

in the evening

from 10 pm A decision on the issue will be made on Wednesday.

There are also some limitations for those who are fully immunized. The capital, Vienna, has already announced that it will introduce a requirement for a PCR test of vaccinated and sick people to visit restaurants in the evening, as well as for all events attended by more than 25 people.

The restrictions come amid rising levels of infection in Austria. It has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe – only about 65% of the population has 2 needles. On a 7-day basis, Austria registered 850 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants. By comparison, the figure is 289 in neighboring Germany, which is also alarming about rising numbers.

The restrictions fuel accusations that Austria is cementing its “two-class system,” said Nikolaus Untergugenberger, whose family has not been vaccinated. The 57-year-old teacher told the Daily Mail that both of his sons had to give up their music lessons because of the blocking rules. Children are an exception, but when the parent cannot take them, they cannot attend twice a week.

Many Austrians are skeptical about vaccines. This view is encouraged by the far-right Freedom Party, the third largest in parliament, which plans to protest government policies on Saturday.

Hundreds took to the streets of Vienna on Monday for an anti-vaccination rally. The protesters held placards reading “No mandatory vaccine”.

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