Lexi Webster
Austria has gone into lockdown several times during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's first lockdown was in March 2020, and it was praised for its early and decisive action. Austria went into lockdown again in November 2021, and then in February 2022, the country imposed a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people. This was extended to everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in November 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of lockdown | 14 March 2020 |
| Date of second lockdown | 3 November 2020 |
| Date of third lockdown | 15 November 2021 |
| Date of fourth lockdown | 22 November 2021 |
| Who is affected by the fourth lockdown | Unvaccinated individuals |
| Who is affected by the fifth lockdown | Everyone |
| Reason for the lockdown | Flatten the curve |
| Reason for the second lockdown | Second wave of COVID-19 |
| Reason for the third lockdown | To curb the surge in COVID-19 cases |
| Reason for the fourth lockdown | To curb the surge in COVID-19 cases |
| Reason for the fifth lockdown | To prevent the collapse of the healthcare system |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's lockdown was for the unvaccinated
Austria has had several lockdowns throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's first lockdown was in March 2020, with a swift and effective lockdown during the first wave of infections. This was followed by a second national lockdown in November 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In July 2024, Austria started to lift its lockdown despite warnings from the WHO that it was too early. By November 2021, the Austrian government had to adopt the 5th COVID-19 Emergency Measures Regulation to prevent the collapse of the healthcare system due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and the lack of availability of beds in hospitals and intensive care units. This included a nationwide lockdown and a general COVID-19 vaccine mandate starting on February 1, 2022.
Austria's lockdown primarily targeted the unvaccinated. On November 15, 2021, the country imposed a police-enforced lockdown on all unvaccinated individuals aged 12 and older. Unvaccinated individuals were ordered to stay home except for limited reasons, with officers carrying out spot checks. The Austrian government's decision to focus on the unvaccinated was due to the low vaccination coverage in the country, with only 65.6% of the population fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in the EU.
Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg expressed his disappointment in not convincing enough people to get vaccinated and emphasized the need to impose a national vaccine mandate. The lockdown restrictions for the unvaccinated included prohibiting people from leaving their homes except for essential reasons such as work, shopping for basic goods, and medical appointments. The Austrian government's approach to the lockdown reflected the urgency to protect its healthcare system and encourage vaccination among its population.
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The lockdown was enforced by police patrols
On November 21, 2021, the Austrian government adopted the 5th COVID-19 Emergency Measures Regulation to prevent the collapse of the healthcare system. This measure included a nationwide lockdown and a COVID-19 vaccine mandate starting on February 1, 2022. The lockdown was enforced by police patrols, with officers carrying out spot checks to ensure compliance.
Under the new restrictions, people were prohibited from leaving their homes except for specific reasons, such as meeting basic needs, fulfilling work responsibilities, or spending time outdoors for physical recreation and mental recovery. The lockdown rules also included the closure of theatres, museums, leisure facilities, and the catering industry, which was limited to pick-up and delivery services. Hotels were prohibited from accepting tourists, and high schools and universities switched to distance learning.
The Austrian government had previously imposed a lockdown for all unvaccinated individuals aged 12 and older, which was also enforced by police patrols. This lockdown was in response to the surge in COVID-19 cases and the low vaccination coverage in the country, which was one of the lowest in the EU at 65.6%. The government extended the lockdown to everyone due to the continued surge in cases, aiming to reduce contacts and curb the spread of the virus.
The police-enforced lockdown played a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the restrictions. Officers conducted spot checks to verify people's vaccination status and enforce the stay-at-home orders for those who were unvaccinated. The lockdown was part of the government's effort to protect the health and safety of its citizens and prevent the further spread of the virus. It was also a temporary measure until the vaccination coverage in the country could be improved, with Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg emphasizing the importance of convincing more people to get vaccinated.
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COVID-19 cases were rising as winter set in
As winter set in, COVID-19 cases in Austria were rising. The country was experiencing an "explosive increase" in new cases, with incidence rates rising from less than 250 cases per 100,000 people to over 1300 per 100,000. Hospitals were overwhelmed with new patients, and deaths were rising. In response, the Austrian government adopted the 5th COVID-19 Emergency Measures Regulation on November 21, 2021, to prevent the collapse of the healthcare system. This included a nationwide lockdown, with people prohibited from leaving their homes except for essential reasons. The lockdown was initially planned for ten days but was extended due to the worsening situation.
The rising cases and deaths were attributed to the country's low vaccination coverage, with only 65.6% of the population fully vaccinated at the time. Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg announced that a general COVID-19 vaccine mandate would be implemented from February 1, 2022, for all eligible individuals. He expressed concern about the low vaccination rate and the potential for future waves of the virus. The mandate faced opposition from anti-vaccination activists, but legal experts generally agreed that it was constitutional.
The lockdown restrictions included a curfew between 8 pm and 6 am, with people only permitted to leave their homes for essential reasons during those hours. Theatres, museums, leisure facilities, and catering services were closed, while hotels were prohibited from accepting tourists. Schools and kindergartens remained open, and workplaces where physical contact was unavoidable were subject to the 3G rule, allowing only vaccinated, recovered, or negatively tested individuals to enter. The retail sector was not closed this time, but social distancing and space requirements were implemented.
The Austrian government had previously imposed a lockdown in March 2020, which was praised for its decisiveness and effectiveness in flattening the curve. However, by November 2020, the country was facing a second wave of infections, and a second national lockdown was announced to curb the spread. This second lockdown included restrictions on leaving home, closures of various sectors, and border controls. Despite these measures, cases continued to surge, leading to the third lockdown in November 2021.
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The lockdown was criticised as divisive and hard to control
Austria imposed a lockdown on March 14, with the nation's chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, ordering a mass testing of the population, which flattened the curve and kept the death rate relatively low. Kurz also initiated a gradual reopening of the economy, starting with small shops and garden centers on April 6. However, this decision was met with criticism from the WHO's regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, who warned governments against relaxing measures too quickly. Kluge emphasized that it was crucial to double and triple collective efforts to suppress the pandemic with societal support.
Despite the successful containment of the virus and the relatively low number of deaths, Austria faced the challenge of managing the pandemic as winter approached. The cold weather posed a threat, forcing governments across Europe, including Austria, to reconsider imposing lockdowns, a decision that was unpopular among the public. The division between political ideologies further complicated the situation, as seen in the rift between Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg's conservatives and their coalition partner, the left-wing Greens.
The lockdown in Austria particularly targeted the unvaccinated population, with Chancellor Schallenberg expressing concern about the low vaccination rate. He stated, "We have not succeeded in convincing enough people to get vaccinated." This approach sparked criticism, with some arguing that it was a divisive strategy that created a rift between the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. The challenge of controlling and enforcing restrictions solely on the unvaccinated made the lockdown hard to manage.
Additionally, the lockdown in Austria impacted various sectors, with cafes and restaurants closed and public events banned. The restrictions aimed to curb the spread of the virus, but they also carried economic and social consequences. The lockdown's effectiveness relied heavily on adherence to the rules, and monitoring compliance across the entire population proved challenging. The lockdown measures, particularly those targeting the unvaccinated, sparked protests and resistance from those who disagreed with the government's approach.
In conclusion, the lockdown in Austria faced criticism for being divisive and challenging to control. The measures primarily targeted the unvaccinated, creating a divide within the population and sparking political and ideological disagreements. Enforcing the restrictions fairly and effectively across the country posed significant logistical difficulties for the Austrian government. While the lockdown aimed to curb the spread of the virus, managing its impact and ensuring compliance presented ongoing challenges.
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The lockdown was planned for ten days
Austria has had several lockdowns since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's first lockdown was in March 2020, and it was widely praised for being decisive and early. The lockdown, combined with mass testing, helped flatten the curve and kept the death rate relatively low.
In November 2020, Austria imposed a second lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. This was in response to an "explosive increase" in new cases. The restrictions included a curfew, with people not allowed to leave their homes between 8 pm and 6 am, except for essential reasons such as going to work. Non-essential businesses, such as theatres, museums, and leisure facilities, were closed, and the catering industry was limited to pick-up and delivery services.
In November 2021, Austria adopted the 5th COVID-19 Emergency Measures Regulation to prevent the collapse of the healthcare system due to a rapid increase in cases and limited hospital and ICU capacity. This lockdown prohibited people from leaving their homes except for specific reasons and made FFP2 face masks mandatory in most situations.
The lockdown was initially planned for ten days but could be extended if necessary. During this time, schools and kindergartens remained open, and employees were encouraged to work from home if possible. The Austrian Health Minister, Wolfgang Mückstein, urged the public to wear FFP2 masks in all enclosed spaces.
Prior to the nationwide lockdown, Austria had imposed a police-enforced lockdown on all unvaccinated individuals aged 12 and older starting on November 15. Unvaccinated individuals were ordered to stay at home, with officers conducting spot checks to ensure compliance.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria went into its first lockdown on March 14, 2020.
The first lockdown was swift and effective, with people prohibited from leaving their homes except for work. Theatres, museums, and leisure facilities were closed, and the catering industry was only allowed to provide pick-up and delivery services.
Austria went into its second lockdown on November 3, 2020.
The second lockdown was less restrictive than the first, with the retail sector remaining open. However, social distancing measures were enforced, with a space of 10 square meters required for each customer.
Yes, Austria imposed a third lockdown on November 21, 2021, and a fourth lockdown in July 2024.
