Fine for unvaccinated people roaming outside in Austria

Special Desk

Approximately two million people who have not been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are now under lockdown in Austria and shall pay fine if found roaming outside for other than specified reasons.

As the country faces a surge in cases the authorities have decided, unvaccinated people will only be allowed to leave home for limited reasons, like working or buying food. For other reasons they shall be denied outdoor accessibility.

“We are not taking this step lightly,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said regarding the decision. Statistics put, about 65% of Austria’s population is fully vaccinated – one of the lowest rates in Western Europe.

Critics have questioned whether the move is constitutional.

The seven-day infection rate is more than 800 cases per 100,000 people, which is one of the highest in the region. Overall, Europe has again become the area most seriously affected by the pandemic and several countries are introducing restrictions and warning of rising cases.

However, the UK, which has one of the highest Covid infection rates, has yet to reintroduce restrictions, despite health leaders calling for rules like mandatory face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces to be brought back to avoid a winter crisis.

The measures introduced in Austria on Monday, which come amid growing pressure on the nation’s hospitals, will initially last for 10 days.
Children under the age of 12 and people who have recently recovered from the virus will be exempt.

Unvaccinated people were already barred from visiting restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas, but will now stay home. “We have told you will not leave your home apart from reasons mentioned,” Schallenberg said.

This is being seen as a massive step towards reduction in contacts between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Government says police will carry out spot checks in public spaces to determine the vaccination status of individuals, and issue fines to those caught breaking the rules.

There was a last-minute rush at vaccination centres in Upper Austria on the eve of the new restrictions but many are yet to get the dose and particularly second dose can not be taken unless due. Therefore many will have to stay back home.