Lyla Lindsey
Austria was the first country in Western Europe to reimpose a full national lockdown in November 2021, in a bid to tackle rising COVID-19 cases. The country's infection rate was among the highest on the continent, with a seven-day incidence of 991 per 100,000 people. The lockdown meant people could only leave their homes for essential reasons such as medical appointments, shopping, and exercise. All gathering places, including restaurants, bars, hotels, and non-essential shops, were closed. The lockdown sparked protests across Europe, with demonstrators clashing with police in the Netherlands and Belgium.
What does full lockdown mean in Austria?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination status | Vaccination to be made mandatory by law from February 2022 |
| Travel restrictions | Entry allowed with proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative PCR test |
| Tourism | Allowed with proof of vaccination or recovery; otherwise, a 10-day quarantine is required |
| Leisure activities | Forbidden |
| Social gatherings | Not allowed |
| Restaurants and bars | Closed |
| Non-essential shops | Closed |
| Hairdressers | Closed |
| Hotels | Closed |
| Public places | Face masks made compulsory |
| Schools | Open |
| Public transport | Operational |
| Workplaces | Open |
| Reason to go out | Allowed only for essential reasons, such as medical appointments, shopping, and exercise |
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What You'll Learn
Travel restrictions
During the national lockdown in Austria, people were still able to travel to the country from the UK. However, they faced several restrictions upon arrival. Fully vaccinated travellers were required to show proof of their vaccination status. They did not need to take a COVID test, fill in any forms, or self-isolate upon entry. However, they had to ensure that they received their second vaccine dose no more than 270 days before arrival. If they received a booster more than 120 days after being fully vaccinated, this must not have been more than 270 days before arrival.
Unvaccinated travellers faced stricter requirements. They had to show proof of a negative COVID test and complete a pre-travel clearance form. After arriving in Austria, they were required to self-isolate for 10 days. Until 21 November 2021, both PCR and lateral flow tests were accepted. A PCR test must have been taken within 72 hours before arrival, and a lateral flow test within 48 hours. From 22 November, only PCR tests were accepted.
On 22 November 2021, Austria entered a full national lockdown in response to record COVID-19 case numbers, with 990 infections per 100,000 people in the preceding seven days. The lockdown lasted a maximum of 20 days, ending on 12 December for vaccinated people and 20 December for everyone else. During this period, tourists were unable to travel to Austria. While travel was permitted for specific reasons, a nationwide curfew was in place, and all facilities such as hotels, restaurants, bars, and leisure centres were closed for both residents and tourists.
From 24 January 2022, Austria eased its restrictions on the UK by removing the country from its "virus variant list". This change meant that double-jabbed travellers could visit Austria without quarantining. However, those who had received only two vaccine doses were required to present a negative PCR test result issued within 72 hours before travel. Only visitors who had received a booster jab were exempt from this testing requirement.
Austria has also implemented 2G rules, which means that fully vaccinated people have access to more venues, services, and public places than unvaccinated individuals. Children under 12 do not need to provide a test result or proof of vaccination if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. Their rules mirror those of their parent or guardian.
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Mandatory vaccination
In November 2021, Austria imposed a lockdown on unvaccinated citizens, with the government announcing that vaccination would be made mandatory by law from February. This sparked protests across Europe, with demonstrators clashing with police in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Austria's lower house of parliament passed a bill making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for adults, with fines of up to 600 euros for those who did not comply. This move was seen as a step towards a restriction-free Austria, with the Austrian government aiming to vaccinate all of its citizens to achieve "lasting and continuous freedom" from the virus.
However, the mandatory vaccination laws have been controversial. Some argue that they violate the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically Article 8, which pertains to the right to respect for private and family life, and Article 3.1 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which pertains to the right to physical and mental integrity. Karoline Edtstadler, Austria's minister for the constitution, initially supported the mandate but later changed her stance, stating that mandatory vaccination should only apply when the vaccines are proven to work.
The registration of mandatory vaccines in Austria has faced setbacks and technical complications, with experts questioning the effectiveness of mandatory vaccinations. Despite these challenges, Austria's decision to implement mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations reflects its ongoing efforts to control the spread of the virus and protect its citizens.
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Non-essential businesses closed
Austria has been one of the countries in Europe that has had some of the most stringent requirements for handling the pandemic. Despite this, the country has seen a surge in cases, with the World Health Organisation reporting over 15,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. In November 2021, the country's infection rate was among the highest on the continent, with a seven-day incidence of 991 per 100,000 people.
In response to the surge in cases, Austria imposed a full national lockdown, with the new measures meaning people were no longer allowed to leave their homes except for essential reasons such as medical appointments, shopping for essentials, and exercise. As a result, all non-essential businesses, including restaurants, bars, hotels, and non-essential shops, were closed. The lockdown also included the closure of gathering places such as restaurants, bars, and non-essential shops, which were deemed non-essential.
The lockdown measures also impacted tourism, with travellers from countries such as the US and UK allowed to enter without quarantine if they had proof of vaccination or recovery. However, those entering with a negative Covid test were required to fill out a pre-travel clearance form and quarantine for ten days, with the option to end the quarantine early on the fifth day with a negative test.
The lockdown was met with mixed reactions, with some supporting the measures while others protested against them. The Austrian government also faced criticism for the slow rollout of vaccinations, with only 64-co: 9>65% of the population fully vaccinated at the time of the lockdown. The lockdown was initially scheduled to last for a minimum of 10 days, with a review after 10 days to determine if it would be extended beyond 20 days.
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Leisure activities forbidden
Austria has been facing a full lockdown since November 2021, becoming the first country in Western Europe to reimpose broad and strict measures as virus cases hit fresh records. The lockdown was imposed to tackle a new wave of infections and required the whole population to be vaccinated by February 2022.
During the lockdown, people were no longer allowed to leave their homes except for essential reasons such as medical appointments, shopping for essentials, and exercising. All leisure activities were forbidden, which meant that people could not engage in any activities that were not essential for their daily needs. This included the closure of gathering places such as restaurants, bars, cafes, museums, hotels, and non-essential shops.
The lockdown had a significant impact on the start of the ski season, with ski resorts in regions like Salzburg and Upper Austria being forced to close. The lockdown also disrupted tourism, with travellers facing restrictions such as proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 tests, or recovery from the virus.
The Austrian government's decision to impose a full lockdown and make vaccinations mandatory sparked protests and unrest across the country and Europe. Many protesters clashed with police in the Netherlands, Belgium, and several Austrian cities, demonstrating against the efforts to curb the rise in cases.
The lockdown measures in Austria were initially assessed after 10 days and were expected to last no longer than 20 days, ending on December 13, 2021. These strict measures were implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 and protect the country's healthcare system, which was facing increasing pressure due to the surge in cases.
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Public unrest
Austria's decision to impose a full lockdown and vaccine mandate has sparked public unrest, with many citizens taking to the streets in protest. This is the fourth time Austria has gone into lockdown, and the public response has been mixed. While some Austrians have expressed resignation and weariness at the restrictions, others have reacted with anger and frustration.
The far-right Freedom Party, the third-biggest party in parliament, has encouraged vaccine skepticism and spread misinformation about the pandemic. They have been a prominent voice in the protests, joined by anti-vaxxers and members of the extreme right. However, the demonstrations have also included Austrians who are critical of the government's handling of the pandemic and unhappy about being placed under lockdown again, despite being fully vaccinated.
The protests have not been limited to the streets, as demonstrators have also taken to social media platforms, flooding sites with videos of the demonstrations. Austria's domestic intelligence service has warned that protesters may attempt to enter hospitals after calls for "action" in anti-vaccine social media groups.
The public unrest in Austria is part of a broader trend across Europe, where pockets of unrest are spreading as governments reimpose strict lockdown measures to combat rising COVID-19 cases. Violent demonstrations have also broken out in Rotterdam, and other countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, and Greece, are clamping down on the unvaccinated as health services reach their limits.
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Frequently asked questions
During the lockdown, tourism is not allowed, and only essential travel is permitted. Travellers from countries outside of the low-incidence areas will need proof of vaccination or recovery to avoid a 10-day quarantine.
During a full lockdown, people are not allowed to leave their homes except for essential reasons such as medical appointments, shopping, and exercise. Restaurants, bars, hotels, and non-essential shops are closed.
Austria went into a full lockdown to tackle a new wave of COVID-19 infections. The country's infection rate was among the highest on the continent, with a seven-day incidence of 991 per 100,000 people.
