BERLIN (AP) – The Austrian Chancellor on Thursday doubled the warning to impose confinements on Austrians who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, given the increase in infections in the Alpine country.
In recent weeks, Austria has taken a series of measures to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus and encourage more people to get vaccinated. New rules that went into effect on Monday prohibit people who have not yet been vaccinated and who have not recovered from the contagion from having access to restaurants, hotels, beauty salons and mass public events.
Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said late last month that the unvaccinated population in Austria could face further containment measures should infections continue to rise, which they did. Figures released Wednesday showed 710.8 new cases reported per 100,000 residents in the previous seven days, a rate far higher than that recorded in neighboring Germany, where record numbers are also causing alarm.
During a visit on Thursday to Bregenz, in western Austria, Schallenberg reported that confining people not vaccinated against the coronavirus is “probably inevitable” and that this sector of the population will face an “uncomfortable” period of winter and Christmas. Austrian Press Agency.
“I don’t see why two-thirds should lose their freedom because one-third hesitates,” Schallenberg stressed. “It is clear to me that there should be no confinement for the vaccinated as a measure of solidarity with the unvaccinated.”
Schallenberg said authorities would consider a vaccination order for some sectors of professionals, adding that the country’s vaccination rate is “shamefully low.” About 65% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
The chancellor insisted that “together we can break this wave.”
–
