'We are about to stumble into a pandemic of the unvaccinated'
Austrians who have not been vaccinated against covid-19 have been warned that they could face lockdown restrictions if cases in the country continue to rise.
On Friday (October 22), Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenburg said that those who have not been jabbed may only be allowed to leave their homes for certain reasons, just like in the peak lockdowns of the last year and a half.
Meanwhile, those who have been vaccinated would be allowed to continue their lives as normal.
Schallenburg announced that the measures will come in if the number of covid patients in intensive-care units reaches 500. This would be 25 per cent of Austria's total ICU capacity.
At this point, entrance into businesses such as restaurants and hotels will be limited to those who are vaccinated or have recovered from the virus.
If the number of covid patients in ICUs reaches 600, the government plan to impose restrictions meaning that unvaccinated people would only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons.
The current number of covid patients in ICUs stands at 220 according to the
Metro.
Mr Schallenberg said: "The pandemic is not yet in the rearview mirror.
"We are about to stumble into a pandemic of the unvaccinated."
Austria has recorded 20,408 new cases of the virus in the past week, with the seven day average standing at 228.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. A week earlier, that figure was at 152.5 per 100,000 inhabitants.
So far, 65.4 per cent of the total population has received one dose of the vaccine and 62.2 per cent are fully vaccinated.
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