“Austria is days away from introducing a lockdown for millions of people who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said, as daily infections hit a record high and hospital intensive care units are increasingly strained,” reports CBS News. “During a news conference Thursday, the chancellor said parliament should give the ‘green light’ for the move on Sunday, and the restrictions could then be applied across the country. Schallenberg did not say when such measures might take effect, although he said random spot checks would be conducted in public places to enforce the lockdown.”
“Under the proposed restrictions, people who are not fully vaccinated would only be allowed to leave their homes for reasons considered essential, such as going to work, grocery shopping, or visiting the doctor. ‘I don’t see why two-thirds should lose their freedom because one-third is dithering,’ Schallenberg said of the substantial minority who remain unvaccinated. ‘For me, it is clear that there should be no lockdown for the vaccinated out of solidarity for the unvaccinated.’ Currently, the Austrian national health agency is reporting the rate of cases has more than doubled since late October.”