Austria imposes lockdown for those not vaccinated as Europe becomes COVID-19 epicentre again

Austria`s lockdown, which does not apply to the under-12s or people who have recently recovered from COVID-19, will initially last 10 days. 

Vienna: Austria is placing millions of people not fully vaccinated against the coronavirus in lockdown as of Monday to deal with a surge in infections to record levels and the growing strain on intensive-care units, the government said on Sunday.

Europe is the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic again, prompting some governments to consider re-imposing unpopular lockdowns. Austria has one of the continent`s highest infection rates, with a seven-day incidence of 815 per 100,000 people.

"We are not taking this step lightly but it is necessary," Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told a news conference announcing the new measure, under which the unvaccinated can only leave their homes for a limited number of reasons like going to work or shopping for essentials.