The Austrian government announced that the two million people who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be placed on lockdown from Monday, November 15 onwards. The decision comes after infections have rapidly increased in the country.
According to BBC, only 65% of Austria’s population is fully vaccinated, which is one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe. Their seven-day infection rate is more than 800 cases per 100,000 people.
Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg indicated that if the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reach over 500, entry into businesses such as restaurants and hotels will be limited to those who are vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19.
“The pandemic is not yet in the rearview mirror, we are about to stumble into a pandemic of the unvaccinated, “Schallenberg was quoted as saying.
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Meanwhile, the proposed restrictions mean that people who are not fully vaccinated would only be allowed to leave their homes for reasons considered essential, CBS news mentioned. South Africa’s Health Minister Joe Phaahla also announced that healthcare facilities are already preparing for a fourth COVID-19 wave, but are doing everything they can to ensure that “when it comes it has far less impact.”
“As we have repeated, a fourth wave is expected and as we can see in other countries, so our national team is preparing for the fourth wave,” Phaahla said.
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Predictions of fourth wave of COVID-19 infections expected by mid-December
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