We can expect widespread use of masks, perhaps again a curfew for the catering trade. Individual countries have already announced that, in view of the still high number of intensive care patients, they will continue to keep at least certain areas closed.
In general, the lockdown for those vaccinated and recovered ends on Saturday after three weeks, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) announced on Tuesday. All areas – trade, service providers such as hairdressers, gastronomy, tourism, culture, sport – except for night-time catering are allowed to reopen for vaccinated and convalescent people. In a press conference on Wednesday it will be announced which protective measures apply throughout Austria.
Upper Austria remains in lockdown until December 17th
However, the federal states can impose stricter measures – and some have already decided to do so: Upper Austria remains in lockdown for everyone until December 17th. In Vienna, bars and hotels will not open until December 20, with broad FFP2 compulsory and maybe also “2G-Plus” in culture.
There should be larger openings with strict security measures in Styria. Burgenland wants to open up widely. Likewise Tyrol and Vorarlberg (with conditions) – although the number of intensive care patients there is still increasing. The Innsbruck virologist Dorothee von Laer therefore recommended that the lockdown for vaccinated people in the western federal states be extended by one week.
Highest number of intensive care patients
The lockdown imposed to combat the massive fourth wave is at least partially effective: the number of new infections has decreased, and with it the seven-day incidence from over 1,000 to 530. But the number of seriously ill patients who have to be treated in intensive care units is increasing, at least by West of the country still. On Tuesday there were 670 across Austria, more than ever this year. The fourth wave also brought the highest death toll in eleven months. 77 deaths were registered in the past 24 hours.
Source: Nachrichten
