Permanent lockdown looms! Corona mutation aggravates situation

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The lockdown in Austria is extended until January 24 – at least for now! Because the British Corona mutation worsens the situation in the country.

The lockdown in Austria caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will last at least until January 24. This was fixed on Wednesday by the main committee of the National Council.

This means that pubs and stores – with the exception of the food trade and other stores selling everyday consumer goods – will remain closed for a further ten days after 14 January. Events as well as overnight stays in hotels and other accommodation facilities for tourist purposes are also still prohibited.

Due to exit restrictions, the private residential area may only be left for certain purposes such as professional activities, necessary purchases and recreation. The collection of pre-ordered goods in front of business premises is also allowed.

The reason given by Health Minister Rudolf Anschober for maintaining the lockdown is that there has been no significant improvement in the number of new infections over the last ten days. He said there were still between 1,500 and 2,500 new cases every day, and the seven-day incidence had recently been 149.

“This is clearly too high,” Anschober affirmed. The situation is also constant in terms of occupied intensive care beds, he said, and the target of a maximum occupancy of 200 beds by COVID-19 patients is a long way off. Anschober also pointed out that the new viral mutation significantly exacerbates the risk situation.

ÖVP, SPÖ and Grüne assessed the situation similarly. In view of the current 7-day incidence of around 150 and a reproduction factor around the value of 1, one could calculate what would happen if everything was reopened, said Josef Smolle (ÖVP).

He also referred to the developments in Ireland and the Czech Republic.

The Main Committee also unanimously approved a decree by Interior Minister Karl Nehammer, which involves the closure of numerous border crossings with the Czech Republic and Slovakia and will come into force at midnight. A total of 45 border posts are affected, 42 of them between Austria and the Czech Republic.