Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria has entered several lockdowns since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's first lockdown was in 2020, and the fourth lockdown began in November 2021. The lockdowns have been implemented in response to rising COVID-19 infections, record case numbers, and an increasing death toll. The Austrian government has tried to balance controlling the spread of the virus with limiting the economic burden on businesses, but the lockdowns have been unpopular with the public.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason | To curb the rise in COVID-19 infections |
| Date of lockdown | 22 November 2021 |
| Duration | 20 days |
| End date | 12 or 13 December 2021 |
| Vaccination rate | 64.8% to 70% |
| Status of Christmas markets | Closed |
| Status of ski resorts | Closed |
| Status of non-essential shops | Closed |
| Status of schools | Open for children who require face-to-face learning |
| Status of work | Work from home |
| Status of travel to Austria | Allowed for fully vaccinated individuals |
| Status of lockdown for the unvaccinated | Continued after the general lockdown was lifted |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's fourth lockdown was due to rising COVID-19 cases
Austria's fourth lockdown, which began on November 22, 2021, was due to rising COVID-19 cases. The country had been experiencing a surge in infections, with record case numbers and a rising death toll. The lockdown was intended to curb the spread of the virus and ease the burden on the country's healthcare system.
Austria had previously implemented three lockdowns since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the second lockdown occurring in November 2020 due to a significant increase in infections. The fourth lockdown was announced by Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, who cited the need to avoid a fifth wave of the virus. The lockdown included measures such as the closure of hotels, restaurants, and non-essential shops, as well as a work-from-home recommendation.
The fourth lockdown in Austria was met with mixed reactions. While some supported the measures to control the spread of the virus, others participated in protests against the restrictions and vaccination mandates. The lockdown also impacted the country's Christmas markets, which had to close just 48 hours after opening.
The Austrian government faced criticism for breaking promises made earlier in the year that there would be no more lockdowns for the vaccinated. Additionally, the lockdown had economic implications, with the government implementing measures to compensate businesses affected by the lockdown for their loss of turnover.
During the fourth lockdown, Austria also implemented a vaccine mandate and differentiated between restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. The unvaccinated faced continued lockdown measures even after the general lockdown was lifted. Mobility data showed a significant reduction in movement during the fourth lockdown, particularly in urban areas such as Vienna.
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The government broke its promise of no more lockdowns
The Austrian government's decision to impose a lockdown in November 2021 went against earlier promises that tough virus restrictions would be a thing of the past. In the summer of 2021, then-chancellor Sebastian Kurz had declared the pandemic "over". However, plateauing inoculation rates, record case numbers, and a rising death toll forced the government to walk back on its bold claims.
Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, who took office in October 2021, criticised the country's shamefully low vaccination rate of 66%, compared to France's 75%. He first banned the unvaccinated from public spaces, but when that failed to curb new infections, he announced a nationwide lockdown. This was despite protests against the restrictions, making Austria the first European country to instate a vaccine mandate and the first to initiate a nationwide lockdown during this COVID-19 surge.
The lockdown, which began on November 22, 2021, was expected to last for 20 days and end on December 12, 2021, with an evaluation after 10 days. It forced the closure of non-essential retail businesses, service providers operating in close proximity to customers, restaurants, and hotels. The government also implemented a measure to compensate affected companies for between 20-60% of the loss of turnover for retail businesses and 80% for other directly impacted businesses.
The lockdown was the fourth time Austria had imposed such restrictions, and it came just as the Christmas markets were opening up, causing disappointment among Austrians. The government had promised in September 2021 that there would be no more lockdowns for the vaccinated, but the rapid rise in cases and the strain on hospitals meant that this promise could not be kept. As a result, government trust suffered.
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The lockdown was initially for 20 days
Austria's fourth lockdown, which began on November 22, 2021, was initially planned to last for 20 days. The country became the first in Western Europe to reintroduce a nationwide lockdown during this COVID-19 surge. The lockdown was announced by Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, who stated that the strict measures were necessary to avoid a fifth wave of the virus. The Austrian government had promised in September that there would be no more lockdowns for the vaccinated, but rising case numbers and an overwhelmed healthcare system forced them to break that promise.
The lockdown included the closure of ski lifts, hotels, and restaurants. Austrians were asked to work from home, non-essential shops were closed, and schools remained open only for children who required face-to-face learning. The lockdown was met with protests, as many people were tired of the restrictions and did not want another lockdown. There were also demonstrations against vaccination mandates, as Austria had become the first European country to instate one.
The initial 20-day lockdown period was to be followed by an evaluation on December 2, 10 days after the start of the lockdown. It was hoped that the lockdown would allow the Christmas and New Year ski season to go ahead as normal. However, the government stated that after the initial 20 days, only the unvaccinated would remain in lockdown. This differentiation between the vaccinated and unvaccinated was a unique aspect of the Austrian government's strategy.
The fourth lockdown in Austria caused a significant reduction in mobility, particularly in Vienna, where a decrease of almost 60% was observed compared to 2019. This reduction in mobility was steeper than during the previous weeks and lockdowns, indicating the impact of the lockdown measures on the population's movement.
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The vaccinated were allowed freedom of movement
Austria's fourth lockdown, which began on November 22, 2021, was implemented in response to rising COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. The lockdown was intended to be in place for 20 days, with an evaluation after 10 days, and it affected everyone, vaccinated or not, during that time.
However, the vaccinated were allowed freedom of movement after the initial 20 days. This differentiation between the vaccinated and unvaccinated was a new approach for Austria, which had previously promised no more lockdowns for the vaccinated. The vaccinated were also allowed to enter the country without needing to take a COVID test, fill in forms, or self-isolate upon entry. They simply had to show proof of vaccination, with the second injection received no more than 270 days before arrival.
The lockdown was not popular, with many Austrians tired of restrictions and some demonstrating against vaccination and lockdowns. There was also a sense of broken promises from the government, which had declared the pandemic "over" earlier in the year.
Mobility data showed a steep decrease in movement during the fourth lockdown, though not as low as during the second lockdown in 2020. Vienna saw the most significant reduction in mobility, with almost 60% less movement compared to 2019.
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The unvaccinated faced continued restrictions
Austria's fourth lockdown, which began on 22 November 2021, was implemented in response to rising COVID-19 infections, record case numbers, and an increasing death toll. The lockdown included the closure of ski lifts, hotels, restaurants, non-essential shops, and service providers operating in close contact with customers. The lockdown was initially meant to last for 20 days, with an evaluation after 10 days, and end on 12 December, allowing the Christmas and New Year ski season to go ahead as normal.
However, the unvaccinated faced continued restrictions even after the general lockdown was lifted. The Austrian government announced that the unvaccinated would remain in lockdown when the general lockdown was lifted. This decision was made to address the country's plateauing inoculation rates and the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg had previously criticized the "shamefully low" vaccination rate of 66%, and banned the unvaccinated from public spaces. When this proved ineffective in curbing new infections, the nationwide lockdown was announced.
The continuation of restrictions for the unvaccinated reflects the Austrian government's efforts to encourage vaccination and reduce the spread of COVID-19. By differentiating between the vaccinated and unvaccinated in terms of restrictions, the government aimed to incentivize vaccination while minimizing the economic and social burden on the vaccinated population. This approach, often referred to as a "differentiated lockdown," has been a source of controversy, with some criticizing it as a violation of individual freedoms, while others view it as a necessary public health measure.
The impact of the lockdown on mobility in Austria has been notable, particularly in Vienna, where a nearly 60% reduction in mobility was observed compared to 2019. This decrease in mobility during the fourth lockdown was steeper than that of previous lockdowns, indicating the public's weariness with the repeated lockdowns. There have been demonstrations and protests against the restrictions and vaccinations, with many expressing frustration over the broken promises of the government regarding lockdowns.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria entered a 20-day lockdown on November 22, 2021, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 cases were at a new high, with about 1,800 people infected in the last 24 hours in a country with a population of about 9 million.
Austrians were asked to work from home, non-essential shops were closed, and schools remained open only for children who required face-to-face learning. Ski lifts, hotels, and restaurants were also closed.
Mobility in Austria decreased at a much steeper rate during the first week of the lockdown compared to the weeks before. However, the mobility reduction did not reach the same level as the second lockdown in 2020.
Yes, the lockdown applied to everyone for the first 20 days, after which only the unvaccinated were subject to lockdown restrictions.
