Vienna Lockdown: Is Austria's Capital City Shut Down?

Vienna, Austria's capital, has been subjected to multiple lockdowns since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has experienced some of the strictest restrictions in the country, with residents only permitted to leave their homes for essential reasons such as buying groceries, visiting the doctor, or exercising. The lockdowns have been implemented to curb the spread of the virus and ease the strain on intensive care wards caused by rising infections.

Vienna's lockdown restrictions

Vienna, the capital of Austria, has been subjected to several lockdowns since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Here is an overview of the restrictions that have been in place during these lockdowns:

April 2021 Lockdown:

During the lockdown that started on April 1, 2021, and lasted until at least April 6, Vienna and two other eastern Austrian provinces implemented strict measures to tackle rising infection rates and hospitalisations. The restrictions included:

• A 24-hour stay-at-home order, with exceptions only for essential reasons such as buying groceries, going to the doctor, or exercising.
• Closure of close contact services, such as hairdressers, tattoo parlours, and cosmetic services.
• Closure of non-essential shops, with only supermarkets and pharmacies allowed to remain open.
• Requirement to wear FFP2 masks outdoors in crowded places and in all indoor settings with more than one person present.
• Increased testing requirements for cross-border commuters and those travelling from abroad for work.
• Distance learning for schools after the Easter break until April 9, with a return to face-to-face lessons on April 11.
• Negative tests were required to visit shops when they reopened, similar to the existing 'entry tests' for close contact services.

November 2021 Nationwide Lockdown:

In November 2021, Austria imposed a nationwide lockdown to combat surging coronavirus infections. The measures included:

• People were required to stay at home except for essential reasons like getting groceries, visiting the doctor, or exercising.
• Restaurants and most shops had to close, and larger events were cancelled.
• Schools and daycare centres remained open, but parents were encouraged to keep their children at home if possible.
• The lockdown was expected to last a maximum of 20 days, with a reevaluation after the first 10 days.
• A vaccine mandate was announced to come into effect from February 1, 2022.

Other Restrictions:

In addition to the lockdowns, Vienna has also reinstated various coronavirus restrictions, such as offering free vaccinations to everyone, regardless of citizenship or insurance status, and providing PCR "gargle" tests.

The impact on schools

The impact of lockdown measures on schools in Vienna, Austria, has varied over time and according to the specific restrictions in place. During the first lockdown in March and April 2020, schools were closed, and students transitioned to distance learning. This measure was viewed as highly necessary, with 74% of respondents in a survey agreeing with the measure. However, during the second lockdown in November and December 2020, the closure of schools and the continuation of remote learning were seen as the least essential restriction, with only 22% of respondents considering it absolutely essential.

Compliance with restrictions related to schools also varied. During the first lockdown, 63% of respondents reported fully complying with restrictions on contact with relatives outside their household. In contrast, during the second lockdown, only 50% reported the same level of compliance.

The lockdowns had a significant impact on various aspects of life, including education. On average, respondents reported more disruptions in all areas of their lives during the second lockdown compared to the first. The impact on education was particularly notable, with respondents indicating increased disruptions to their educational pursuits during the second lockdown.

The shift in perceptions and compliance regarding school closures and distance learning may be influenced by several factors, including the duration of the pandemic, the need for childcare and homeschooling arrangements, and the overall fatigue associated with prolonged restrictions.

The impact on businesses

Vienna, Austria, has experienced multiple lockdowns throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's first lockdown was announced in March 2020, with the most recent one occurring in November 2021. The impact of these lockdowns on businesses has been significant.

During the initial lockdown in 2020, non-essential shops, restaurants, and cultural establishments were forced to close, causing a sharp downturn in the Austrian economy. The government implemented fiscal measures to mitigate the impact, including short-time working assistance and emergency funds for businesses. However, the restrictions disrupted supply chains and reduced final demand, affecting various sectors such as manufacturing and services.

The lockdown's adverse effects persisted even after restrictions were eased. For instance, the hospitality sector, particularly in Vienna, struggled to recover due to the decline in international travel and continued social distancing measures. Additionally, businesses faced challenges due to low levels of equity and liquidity reserves, hindering their ability to withstand prolonged financial strain.

The impact of the lockdowns on small businesses and social entrepreneurship has been particularly concerning. Social entrepreneurs, who aim to address social and environmental issues through innovative business models, saw their income dry up or disappear entirely. To support these businesses, organizations like Impact Hub Vienna established solidarity funds to secure the livelihoods of social entrepreneurs and ensure their survival during the pandemic.

The Austrian government's response to the economic crisis included comprehensive fiscal measures to cushion the decline in employment and household incomes. The government provided budget-effective expenditures of €12.5 billion for short-time working assistance and emergency funds for self-employed persons and companies. However, the recovery process has been slow, and it is expected to take until late 2021 or early 2022 to reach the pre-crisis level of real GDP.

Overall, the lockdowns in Vienna, Austria, have had a significant impact on businesses, disrupting supply chains, reducing demand, and causing financial strain. The road to economic recovery has been challenging, and the effects of the pandemic will likely continue to be felt for some time.

The impact on healthcare

The COVID-19 lockdowns in Vienna, Austria, have had a significant impact on the healthcare sector and the overall well-being of the population. The restrictions were necessary to curb the spread of the virus, but they also resulted in negative consequences for the physical and mental health of many residents.

During the lockdowns, healthcare workers faced increased pressure and demands. The rapid rise in COVID-19 cases led to a strain on intensive care wards, with health officials warning of a potential collapse in eastern Austria's intensive care capacity. The high number of severe cases, particularly those infected with the more contagious British variant, overwhelmed hospitals and healthcare professionals.

One of the most notable impacts of the lockdowns on healthcare was the disruption to medical appointments and treatments. While hospitals remained open, many non-essential medical services were postponed or cancelled. This included elective surgeries, routine check-ups, and preventative care, which were deemed non-urgent and were often delayed or conducted virtually. This delay in accessing healthcare could have potentially detrimental effects on patients' health, particularly for those with chronic conditions or diseases that require regular monitoring and treatment.

The lockdowns also had a significant impact on mental health. Studies conducted in Austria reported increased feelings of loneliness, worsening mental health, and decreased quality of life among the population. The prolonged duration of the pandemic and recurring lockdowns contributed to these negative psychological effects. Additionally, there was a reported increase in domestic and sexual violence, with lockdowns intensifying gender-specific issues and affecting women disproportionately.

Furthermore, the lockdowns disrupted healthcare workers' well-being. They faced increased workload, stress, and risk of infection. The pressure on healthcare workers was immense, and the situation was further exacerbated by staff shortages due to illness or quarantine. Their mental health was also impacted, with healthcare workers experiencing anxiety, burnout, and moral injury due to difficult ethical decisions and limited resources.

The COVID-19 lockdowns in Vienna, Austria, had far-reaching consequences for the healthcare sector. While they were necessary to control the spread of the virus, they also resulted in disruptions to medical services, increased pressure on healthcare workers, and negative impacts on the mental and physical health of the population. The challenges faced by the healthcare system during the lockdowns highlighted the importance of nuanced evaluation and careful planning of future lockdown strategies to minimise adverse effects on both healthcare providers and patients.

Protests against lockdown

On November 20, 2021, thousands of protesters gathered in Vienna after the Austrian government announced a nationwide lockdown to curb the country's rising coronavirus infections. The lockdown was set to begin on Monday, November 22, and last for 10 days initially, with a maximum duration of 20 days. During this period, most stores would close, and cultural events would be canceled. People's movement would be restricted, and they could only leave their homes for specific reasons, such as buying groceries, visiting the doctor, or exercising.

The protest march started at Heldenplatz in Vienna, with an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 people in attendance. The far-right opposition Freedom Party was among those who called for the protest and vowed to fight the new restrictions. Demonstrators chanted "Resistance!" and carried signs mocking government leaders. Many waved Austrian flags, while some wore doctor's scrubs and tinfoil hats. The signs primarily focused on the newly announced vaccine mandate, with messages like "My Body, My Choice" and "We're Standing Up for Our Kids!"

The Austrian government's decision to impose a lockdown was driven by the surge in coronavirus infections and the presence of the more contagious British variant. The three eastern provinces of Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland were among the hardest hit, with intensive care wards facing a "looming collapse." The lockdown aimed to ease the strain on the healthcare system and protect public health.

In addition to the lockdown, the Austrian government announced that vaccinations would become mandatory starting February 1, 2022. This announcement further fueled the protests, with Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl denouncing the measures as "totalitarian." However, the low vaccination rate in Austria, with only about 66% of the population fully vaccinated, contributed to the critical situation.

While the majority of the protest was peaceful, there were some instances of aggression. The police had to use tear gas against certain demonstrators, and several arrests were made, including for violating anti-pandemic measures and wearing Nazi symbols. Overall, the Austrian authorities deployed approximately 1,300 police officers to ensure safety and maintain order during the rally.

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