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LATEST: Austria to lockdown Wiener Neustadt from Wednesday as coronavirus cases continue to rise

The Local Austria
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LATEST: Austria to lockdown Wiener Neustadt from Wednesday as coronavirus cases continue to rise
Police set up a roadblock in Germany. Photo: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN / AFP

Officials have ordered a lockdown of the town of Wiener Neustadt from Wednesday due to a rapid increase in coronavirus cases, while Vienna and Burgenland have extended quarantine rules.

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The town of Wiener Neustadt has emerged as Austria’s new coronavirus hotspot. 

As of Monday, the town’s seven-day incidence stands at 530. This is the second-highest incidence rate in Austria after the district of Hermagor (576). 

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Districts and regions with a high incidence rate have been required to lock down all across Austria. 

Hermagor will be locked down from Tuesday, with people only allowed to leave the district with a negative coronavirus test (less than 48 hours old), while a 24-hour stay at home order is also imposed. 

‘Worrying increase’: Austria sees sudden rise in ICU admissions

A similar lockdown measures look set to be adopted in Wiener Neustadt from Wednesday. 

Austrian media reports that the central nature of the town and its many connections make a full lockdown difficult. 

As reported by Austria’s Kurier newspaper, “A city the size of Wiener Neustadt with 42,000 inbound and outbound commuters and 15,000 passengers in local public transport every day cannot be hermetically sealed off”. 

Vienna and Burgenland extend quarantine rules from ten to 14 days

The quarantine period for people who have arrived from risk areas or who have come into contact with a coronavirus-infected person has been extended from ten to 14 days in Vienna and Burgenland. 

The reason for the extension is the prevalence of coronavirus mutations in the regions. 

The decision to extend the quarantine in Vienna was made on Monday, however officials have not yet decided when it will come into effect

In Burgenland, 88 percent of new infections are due to the British coronavirus mutation

The quarantine can be ended on the tenth day with evidence of a negative coronavirus test. 

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