New and heavy restrictions have been brought in across Austria, including a full national lockdown, while COVID-19 infection rates are on a sharp rise across Europe..Austria has one of the lowest rates of vaccination in Western Europe — only sitting about 65% of the eligible population at the time of lockdowns in mid-November..The unvaccinated — roughly two million of the 8.9 million Austrians — have been banned from leaving their homes with the exception of work or to buy essential supplies and food. There are currently no restrictions on time or distance allowed for being outdoors..All non-essential businesses have been closed, including restaurants, bars, hairdressers, theatres and other shops deemed non-essential. However, restaurants are permitted to offer take-out and non-essential shops can offer curbside pickup sales..After locking down the nation for the fourth time since the pandemic began, Austria announced it will make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for every citizen effective February 2022..The original lockdown was to be put in place for only ten days, however, that was extended on November 30 by an Austrian parliamentary committee for an additional 10 days..Tens of thousands of Austrians protested in Vienna within days of the original lockdown carrying signs with slogans “no to vaccination”, enough is enough” or “down with the fascist dictatorship”, The Guardian reported..“We are unhappy with our government’s measures,” said one protester who declined to give his name, along with many of the others who spoke with the media..“One would think we live in a democracy but now this is a coronavirus dictatorship,” said another woman amongst the protestors in passing..The Local, an English news publication out of Austria, reported as of Monday, a total of 129,428 people are currently COVID-19 positive, while 2,465 are in hospital and an additional 664 are in intensive care (ICU). .To date, vaccination rates among the population have increased to 72% with at least one dose and 67% are considered fully vaccinated..Protesters have been clashing with authorities for weeks, opposing the harsh lockdowns and the government’s planned mandatory vaccinations for the country..“This has been going on for two years and there’s no end in sight,” said a woman who attended a November 20 protest..“Something new is announced every day and we don’t know what we can believe anymore.”.Many in Austria are skeptical of the vaccines and, according to the Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BAGS), 1,360 Austrians have been treated in hospital for suspected side effects due to the corona vaccines. As well, 184 deaths have been reported “close in time” to a vaccination..Compared to neighbouring countries, Austria sits in the middle of the pack for reported daily COVID-19 cases.. coronavirus-data-explorerJohns Hopkins University CSSE COVID-19 Data .A draft of the coming vaccine mandate law will reportedly apply to those aged 14 and older with fines comparable to approximately $860 Canadian dollars (CDN). Fines can be issued every three months to a total of $3,450 CDN. Failure to pay the fines will result in a larger levy of $5,181 CDN. It’s believed money raised from the fines will go to fund hospitals..Those with exemptions and who are pregnant will be excluded from the mandates, as will those who have recently recovered from COVID-19 but only for 180 days post-infection..Although a number of newspapers have reported they’ve seen a copy of the draft law, Austria’s Ministry of Health said it will be releasing an official first draft later this week..It’s been reported three doses will be required under the coming law — the second dose between 14 and 42 days after the first and a third dose between 120 and 270 days after the second. The country currently recognizes Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and the Johnson & Johnson vaccines..The country-wide vaccine mandate makes Austria the nation with the most strict COVID-19 measures to date..Protesters have been clashing with authorities for weeks opposing the harsh lockdowns and the government’s planned mandatory vaccination for the country. Over the weekend, five arrests were made of the over 40,000 protestors who gathered in Vienna..The World Health Organization (WHO) regional director Dr. Hans Kluge told the BBC if measures aren’t tightened across Europe, half a million more deaths could come by next spring..In the meantime, until recently Australia was considered to have the strictest COVID-19 measures in place, but is now moving towards a reopening plan in the coming days and weeks after hard lockdowns were imposed in early July..Although mainstream media has been fairly quiet with reports out of Australia, social media has been inundated with posts out of the locked-down nation over the past few weeks. Large protests have been held throughout the country in opposition to the heavy lockdowns and restrictions put in place over the summer..According to 9News out of Australia, the Queensland domestic border will open December 13, four days earlier than planned for fully vaccinated interstate travellers with a negative COVID-19 test. Quarantine will not be required for those fully vaccinated..“If you are not fully vaccinated, you must arrive by air only and hotel quarantine for 14 days,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk..International travellers will need to be fully vaccinated to enter the country and will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival..As part of Australia’s reopening plan, as of December 17 those unvaccinated will not be permitted to enter restaurants and bars..According to the Australian government’s website, COVID-19 vaccines are considered voluntary at this time..Germany, another nation considered to have harsh COVID-19 restrictions, announced last Thursday the country was introducing a nationwide lockdown for the unvaccinated..Those who are not considered fully vaccinated are now banned from most businesses with the exception of grocery stores and pharmacies..Like Austria, leaders in Germany are looking at plans for mandatory vaccinations in the New Year..Angela Merkel, who served as German chancellor for 16 years, along with her new successor, Olaf Scholz, are both in favour of mandatory vaccinations across the country and if voted in by parliament, could come into effect as early as February..On December 2, Germany announced it is now mandatory to be fully vaccinated to get euthanized..Restrictions in Germany continue to tighten as COVID-19 cases surge throughout Europe..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
