The neighboring country is likely to further restrict shopping. Chancellor Schallenberg commented on the compulsory corona vaccination and called it a comparatively “minor” intervention.
Vienna – Austria has had a country-wide partial lockdown since November 22nd. Shops that are not absolutely necessary for the basic supply are closed. From February 1, the German-speaking neighboring country will introduce a general corona vaccination obligation – which Olaf Scholz (SPD) is now considering, who wants to succeed Angela Merkel in office (our news ticker on the consultations here).
The various measures such as the 2G rule have apparently stabilized the corona situation in Austria: Most recently, the number of daily new infections has decreased significantly in some cases. The 7-day incidence is currently just over 930, after previous values of more than 1000. The vaccination rate has reached around 67 percent, but more on that in a moment.
But: The situation has not yet stabilized in the normal and intensive care units. As originally announced by the government, people hope that the partial lockdown will end on December 13th. The pressure from business and trade to keep this date because of the important Christmas business is enormous. A decision is expected at the end of the week at the earliest.
Corona partial lockdown in Austria now with shorter opening times
According to consistent media reports, the Austrian government plans to reduce the opening times for grocery stores to a maximum of 7 p.m. from Thursday (December 2). The GPA union had previously requested this. “There is no reason why the lockdown should be open until 9:00 p.m.”, quoted the national Austrian daily newspaper courier its chairwoman Barbara Teiber.
Previously, the branches were allowed to open to customers 72 hours a week until 9 p.m. In previous lockdowns, branches were only allowed to open until 7 p.m. This restriction was lifted in mid-May and has been back at 9 p.m. since then, reports courier. Because of this, people in the country did not take to the streets, sometimes with a rampage, but above all against the planned general compulsory vaccination.
Low Corona vaccination rate: Chancellor Schallenberg speaks of a “vicious circle”
Austria’s Chancellor Schallenberg (ÖVP) recently regretted that his government had been forced to take these measures in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. With the current vaccination rate of only 67 percent, it is impossible to end the “vicious circle” of corona waves and debates about lockdowns, said the conservative head of government.
Compared to the restriction of fundamental rights through a lockdown, the compulsory vaccination is only a “small” interference with the rights of citizens, he emphasized. According to a report, there should already be a step-by-step plan for easing. (frs with material from AFP)
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