Austria Imposes 20-Day Lockdown
Despite protests in Vienna, Austria has returned to a full national lockdown with new restrictions aimed at curbing COVID-19 infections in Europe. This is the country’s fourth national lockdown since the pandemic began.
That means residents have been ordered to stay home except for essential reasons such as work, exercise, and shopping for food. Restaurants, bars, salons, theaters, and non-essential businesses must close their doors. The measure will continue until December 12, although officials said they will be reassessed after 10 days.
Austria’s vaccination rate – 65% – is one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe. Last week, Austria became the first European country to make COVID vaccination a legal requirement, with the law due to take effect in February.
Government officials in Germany and the Netherlands may impose a lockdown too if Europe becomes the epicenter for the global pandemic. “We are in a highly dramatic situation. What is in place now is not sufficient,” said Germany’s Chancellor Angel Merkel, reported by Bloomberg.
Planning a trip post-COVID? Vactioner Magazine encourages you to take the proper precautions and check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before traveling.
