Austria set for stricter coronavirus measures from Monday
Austria’s coronavirus shutdown is set to tighten amid rising infections and hospitalisations, Austrian media reported on Friday.
Ten days after putting in place a series of shutdown measures on November 3rd, Austria is set to tighten its nation-wide coronavirus measures further.
The government had waited to see the impact of the initial measures. However, with infections continuing to skyrocket - Austria recorded its highest ever one day total on Thursday - the government is set to meet to discuss how the shutdown can be further tightened.
READ MORE: Austria to re-enter 'hard lockdown' on Tuesday as Covid-19 cases soar
Niki Popper, from the Ministry of Health, said the government was disappointed with the lack of impact the measures have had.
"The effects of the measures are very small - much less than expected."
"People haven't reduced their leisure time contacts enough," he said.
Apparently there is a relocation effect. The closed inns meant that people instead crowd into shopping centers."
A decision is expected on Friday or Saturday at the latest, reports Der Standard.
What measures can be expected?
So far, the government has been tight lipped on what could come into effect - although the new measures are expected from Monday.
Der Standard reports that shops and service businesses such as hairdressers are likely to close.
While most types of shops have been allowed to remain open, under the current shutdown, this was not the case in March where everything other than pharmacies and supermarkets was forced to close.
Schools could also be forced to move back to distance education or to operate at different hours to minimise the risk of infection.
Austrian tabloid Kronen Zeitung reports that working from home could be made mandatory under the lockdown, while visiting nursing homes and hospitals could also be banned.
Some federal states have already put in place visitation bans or restrictions, however this would be implemented nationwide.
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Ten days after putting in place a series of shutdown measures on November 3rd, Austria is set to tighten its nation-wide coronavirus measures further.
The government had waited to see the impact of the initial measures. However, with infections continuing to skyrocket - Austria recorded its highest ever one day total on Thursday - the government is set to meet to discuss how the shutdown can be further tightened.
READ MORE: Austria to re-enter 'hard lockdown' on Tuesday as Covid-19 cases soar
Niki Popper, from the Ministry of Health, said the government was disappointed with the lack of impact the measures have had.
"The effects of the measures are very small - much less than expected."
"People haven't reduced their leisure time contacts enough," he said.
Apparently there is a relocation effect. The closed inns meant that people instead crowd into shopping centers."
A decision is expected on Friday or Saturday at the latest, reports Der Standard.
What measures can be expected?
So far, the government has been tight lipped on what could come into effect - although the new measures are expected from Monday.
Der Standard reports that shops and service businesses such as hairdressers are likely to close.
While most types of shops have been allowed to remain open, under the current shutdown, this was not the case in March where everything other than pharmacies and supermarkets was forced to close.
Schools could also be forced to move back to distance education or to operate at different hours to minimise the risk of infection.
Austrian tabloid Kronen Zeitung reports that working from home could be made mandatory under the lockdown, while visiting nursing homes and hospitals could also be banned.
Some federal states have already put in place visitation bans or restrictions, however this would be implemented nationwide.
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