Lockdown and vaccination: What lies ahead for Austria

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A record number of new infections was reported on Friday: 15,809 new cases were reported. The number was thus once again above the average of the past seven days of 13,189. Currently, there are thus a total of 138,841 people infected with Corona in Austria.

Currently, 520 patients are being treated in intensive care units. This is an increase of 22 patients compared to Thursday. In the normal wards there are now 2,871 patients, an increase of 84. That’s an increase of 84. There are also 48 new deaths related to Covid-19 infection to report. Thus, the pandemic has so far claimed 11,951 lives in Austria. So much for the pandemic in its horrific numbers.

The lockdown now imposed by the government is the fifth in Austria – if you count the lockdown around last Easter for eastern Austria. Either way, the Austrians are already quite well practiced when it comes to lockdowns.

Here is a general overview:

Lockdown for all as of 00.00 hrs on Monday

The nationwide lockdown for everyone will generally apply around the clock. For the time being, it will last 20 days. In ten days, according to the government, it will then be reviewed whether that is enough or not. However, this means that the lockdown is scheduled to last until December 12. In Upper Austria it is valid until 17 December.

Unvaccinated remain in lockdown indefinitely

One point is very important: If the lockdown is lifted for everyone because of a decrease in new infections and intensive care patients, it will certainly remain in place for unvaccinated people afterwards.

What you can do in everyday life despite the lockdown?

You can go to work. You can go to the supermarket or to the doctor. You are also allowed to spend time outdoors for physical and mental recreation.

Kindergartens and schools remain open

Pupils will continue to have face-to-face classes. Masks are compulsory for all school levels, even during lessons. For the younger ones (VS, MS, lower school), a mouth-nose protection is sufficient, the older ones need FFP2 masks.

Children may also stay at home without a doctor’s certificate. For the time being, there is no nationwide distance learning. However, children who do not come to school should be able to obtain information about the material covered from the relevant teachers. Kindergartens will also remain open.

Recreation and sports: details still to come

As in past lockdowns, recreational and sports facilities would have to remain closed in accordance with logic. Details on this have yet to be presented by Health Minister Mückstein.

Which stores will remain open?

Starting Nov. 22, daily-use stores will be allowed to stay completely open for three weeks, with only “click & collect” and pre-order pickup possible at other retailers. Everyday stores include supermarkets, drugstores and pharmacies, post offices and telecom stores.

Culture is being shut down again

Stages, museums, cinemas and all other cultural institutions are closed again across Austria as of Monday, with individual houses already starting their closing time on Friday or over the weekend. On Friday, the institutions made arrangements so that ticket holders can rebook or have their tickets refunded.

They are likewise making sure that productions find their audiences through other means, as they did in the lockdowns before: The Konzerthaus is planning streaming concerts, and the Vienna State Opera now plans to show its “Don Giovanni” premiere on ORF’s main evening program (Dec. 5, ORF III). Other productions and premieres have already been canceled.

Compulsory vaccination as of February 1, 2022

Austria is the first EU country to introduce compulsory vaccination. A step that is causing a stir internationally. So far, only a few countries in the world have complete compulsory vaccination. These include Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Vatican, Indonesia, Micronesia and New Caledonia. However, before this can happen in our country, the Ministry of Health must draft a law. What is known is that there will be administrative penalties.