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The government imposes the lockdown, the full brake is already on Monday. In addition, a vaccination obligation comes.
On Friday, day 634 of the pandemic, the federal government pulls the emergency brake for the fourth (!) time: starting Monday, public life throughout Austria comes to a standstill. For the next three weeks, the whole of Austria will be in lockdown. Until December 12, that is, at least.
On Friday night, Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg took a stand in Austrian Television ZIB2 studio on the new lockdown and the imminent compulsory vaccination for all.
“I think I have to apologize, to those two-thirds of the population who have done everything right.” These would now have to endure severe cuts because of a minority. “I’m sorry for that”, the chancellor said.
“This is a step I take only with a heavy heart. It was also a hard step for all state governors.” He said it was important that a solidarity across the provinces and party lines had now been achieved. “We will not get out of the pandemic if we don’t all work together,” he said.
“I don’t want to impose restrictions on freedoms in advance,” and “I don’t really want to live in a country where you have to do everything by force,” Schallenberg explained. He had hoped to reach the vaccination goal with calls and appeals. In doing so, he admits, they may have waited too long.
In any case, the lockdown should end on December 12 for all vaccinated people, but the chancellor does not want to guarantee that there will be no extension. “To take away the freedom of even one second longer than necessary from those 65 percent who have done everything right is an unbearable thought for me.”
Details on mandatory vaccination starting Feb. 1 have yet to be determined. “Of course, this is also a massive encroachment on freedom rights,” Schallenberg emphasizes. And what will refusers face? “There will be an administrative fine. The amount has yet to be clarified.” Is there also a threat of job loss? “That’s what the experts have to look at now. And I would let these work now before we speculate here.”
In any case, he hopes that many more people will be vaccinated by then, so that a duty will not be necessary at all.
The schools remain open, confirms the head of government. Yes, there are currently high incidences among children, he said, but schools in particular are an environment of maximum safety because of the many tests.
- source: orf.at/screenshot, interview with Chancellor Schallenberg on ORF ZIB2 on November 19, 2021
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