Leslie Massey
Austria has had several lockdowns since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's fourth lockdown, which began in November 2021, was accompanied by a plan to mandate vaccinations. The unvaccinated were to remain in lockdown when the wider general lockdown was lifted. This mandate was an unprecedented move and a last-ditch attempt to prevent the country's healthcare system from being overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lockdown for unvaccinated | Yes |
| Lockdown for vaccinated | No |
| Vaccination requirement for adults | Starts in February |
| Partial lockdown | Yes |
| Reimbursement for companies | 80% of revenue loss |
| Wage subsidy program | Expanded |
| Schools | Open, but parents asked to keep children home |
| Kindergartens | Open |
| Restaurants, bars, theatres, non-essential shops | Shut, except for takeaway |
| Hotels | Closed to tourists |
| ICU facilities | Near capacity |
| Cultural venues | Closed |
| Youth and school sports | Allowed from March 15, 2021 |
| Pubs and restaurants with terraces | Open from March 27, 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's low vaccination rate
Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe, with only 66% of its population fully vaccinated. The country has struggled to stop spiralling case numbers, with hospitals warning that ICU facilities are near capacity in the nation's fourth virus wave. In November 2021, Austria imposed a new lockdown for all citizens, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision to impose a country-wide lockdown was not popular, with thousands of people protesting the new rules in Vienna. Despite the opposition, the Austrian government maintained its stance on the lockdown, recognizing the importance of increasing vaccination rates to prevent future waves of the pandemic.
To further curb low vaccination rates, Austria announced a legal requirement for those eligible to be vaccinated, which came into force on February 1, 2022. This mandate made Austria's vaccination requirements among the most stringent in the world. The country's health minister, Wolfgang Mueckstein, emphasized the urgency of the situation by stating that kindergartens and schools would remain open for those who needed them, but all parents were asked to keep their children at home if possible.
Austria's approach to easing lockdown restrictions in the past has also been influenced by vaccination rates. In March 2021, the country planned to loosen some lockdown rules while adopting a regional approach. The reopening of hospitality venues was a significant point of discussion, with many venues requiring evidence of a negative test result for entry. This strategy aimed to balance economic considerations with public health concerns while encouraging vaccinations.
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Partial lockdown
Austria has had several lockdowns since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, the country entered a second lockdown as COVID-19 cases spiked out of control. This was a partial lockdown, with schools, hairdressers, and non-essential shops remaining open. However, restaurants, cafes, and hotels were closed except for takeaway food and business travellers. Gyms, cinemas, and theatres were also closed, and restrictions on leaving home were only in place at night.
In November 2021, Austria announced a new nationwide lockdown and a plan to mandate vaccinations as coronavirus infections hit a record high. This lockdown was expected to last at least 10 days, with a possible extension to 20 days. During this time, people were only allowed to leave their homes for essential needs, such as buying groceries or seeking medical care. Schools remained open, but parents were asked to keep their children at home if possible. The government also announced that from February 2022, COVID-19 vaccination would be mandatory for all Austrians over the age of 18.
Prior to the November 2021 lockdown, Austria had implemented a 2G rule, which barred the unvaccinated from accessing many cultural, gastronomic, and sporting institutions. However, this rule did not effectively curb the surge in COVID-19 cases, and the country was forced to impose a stricter lockdown.
Austria began easing lockdown restrictions in March 2021, adopting a regional approach that allowed states with lower infection rates to open up. This included reopening indoor and outdoor dining areas in pubs and restaurants, albeit with a requirement for patrons to present negative test results. Cultural venues were also allowed to open, and youth and school sports resumed.
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High COVID-19 infection rate
Austria has been facing a surge in COVID-19 infections, with the country experiencing its fourth wave of the virus. The country's intensive care units (ICU) are under immense pressure, with hospitals warning that ICU facilities are near capacity. The situation has forced the Austrian government to impose a nationwide lockdown, the country's fourth since the pandemic began, to curb the spread of the virus.
The lockdown restrictions include the closure of restaurants, Christmas markets, and most stores, with only essential businesses remaining open. People are only allowed to leave their homes for essential needs, such as buying groceries, seeking medical attention, or exercising. Schools and kindergartens will remain open, but parents have been advised to keep their children at home whenever possible.
Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Europe, and the high COVID-19 infection rate can be attributed, in part, to vaccine hesitancy. Far-right political groups have fuelled vaccine mistrust, and the country has struggled to convince enough people to get vaccinated. The Austrian government has acknowledged that the new restrictions are "very painful" but necessary to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed.
The lockdown measures are expected to last up to 20 days, with a plan to mandate vaccinations from February 1, 2022. The government aims to increase vaccination rates and protect its citizens from the virus. During this time, the unvaccinated will remain in lockdown, even as the wider general lockdown is lifted. This means that those who are not vaccinated will continue to have restricted access to various places and will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons.
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Reimbursement for companies
Austria has been in lockdown several times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's fourth lockdown, which began in November 2021, was accompanied by a plan to mandate vaccinations. During this lockdown, restaurants, bars, theatres, non-essential shops, and hotels were shut to all but takeaway services.
The Austrian government has implemented various measures to support businesses affected by the lockdown. One such measure is the Lockdown Revenue Compensation II, which provides immediate grants to companies that have been indirectly affected by the lockdown. The maximum amount for this compensation is EUR 800,000, while the minimum amount is EUR 1,500. Companies that suffered a loss of sales of at least 30% due to the pandemic are eligible for support. Additionally, the Austrian Federal Government introduced a EUR 38 billion aid package, which includes the Corona-Aid-Fund, offering state loan guarantees and state subsidies for fixed costs.
The Fix Cost Subsidy is another initiative, providing direct and immediate subsidies to cover fixed costs for companies that suffer losses due to COVID-19. The subsidy amounts range from EUR 36,000 to EUR 100,000, and applications for this subsidy have been open since May 2020, with Phase II applications accepted from September 2020 to March 2021.
To be eligible for the Lockdown Revenue Compensation, companies must have a legal seat, permanent establishment, or operational activities that lead to taxation in Austria. Additionally, they must fulfil prerequisites under the lockdown revenue compensation guidelines and conduct themselves appropriately in relation to tax.
As Austria gradually reopens, the government is adopting a regional approach, allowing states with lower infection rates to open up while those with higher rates may need to maintain or reinstate restrictions.
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Vaccine mandate
Austria has had several lockdowns since the start of the pandemic, and the country's vaccine mandate has been a source of controversy.
In November 2021, Austria announced a national lockdown and a plan to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations as infections hit a record high. This was the country's fourth lockdown, and hospitals warned that ICU facilities were near capacity. The lockdown included the closure of restaurants, Christmas markets, and most stores, with people only allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons.
In December 2021, Austria lifted its general lockdown but kept restrictions in place for the unvaccinated. Chancellor Karl Nehammer confirmed that "the lockdown for the unvaccinated is staying," even as other restrictions were eased.
Austria's vaccine mandate has been criticized as inconsistent, toothless, and politically toxic. Public health experts and epidemiologists have argued that the mandate was implemented without sufficient forethought and that it could aggravate tensions in the country. The mandate is also challenging to enforce, as the police cannot easily monitor compliance.
In September 2024, Austria lifted the lockdown for the unvaccinated, making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory the following day. This decision was made amidst high COVID-19 case numbers, with the country recording almost 2,500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Prior to the national vaccine mandate, Austria had implemented other measures to encourage vaccination. In March 2021, the country started to loosen lockdown restrictions, allowing pubs, restaurants, and cultural venues to open with proof of a negative test required for entry.
Overall, Austria's experience with lockdowns and its vaccine mandate has been complex and influenced by various political and public health considerations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Austria will come out of its general lockdown. However, the unvaccinated will remain in lockdown.
Austria's general lockdown ended on Sunday, 12 December 2021.
During the lockdown, people could only leave their homes for essential needs, such as buying groceries, going to the doctor, or exercising. Restaurants, bars, theatres, and non-essential shops were shut, except for takeaway services. Hotels were closed to tourists.
The lockdown was imposed to counter a surge in daily COVID-19 infections, which had reached record levels. It was also due to Austria's low vaccination rate, which is among the lowest in Europe.
No, the loosening of lockdown restrictions will vary across Austria's states. States with lower infection rates will be allowed to open up faster, while those with higher rates may need to maintain or reintroduce restrictions.
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