Austria tightens Corona measures, only people who have been vaccinated or recovered after the Corona virus are allowed to visit the catering industry

As in many other European countries, corona numbers are also rising in Austria. Fear that another winter tourist season may fall into the water and the overburden on the healthcare system is now prompting the government to take additional measures.

To contain the fourth wave of infection, people who are not immunized or people who have not yet recovered from the virus are no longer allowed to enter catering establishments or contact professions. People are only allowed to attend cultural, sporting or other events after vaccination or recovery.

People who can test negative are no longer allowed to go to the coffee shop. The negative test applies to work only, but must be submitted every two days. In Austria, less than 65 percent of the population receives full immunizations. This is lower than the European average.

Austria recorded 9,388 new cases of corona on Friday. This roughly equals the record number of 9,586 injuries about a year ago. “Intensive care occupancy rates are rising much faster than expected,” said Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg of the conservative ÖVP. It’s simply our responsibility to protect the people in our country.”

There will be a four-week transition period during which the first vaccination and PCR testing will be sufficient to reach places where unvaccinated people are not allowed. After that, only fully vaccinated and recovered Corona patients are welcomed at those sites.

Concerns are also growing about a resurgence of the coronavirus in Germany. Health ministers in Germany’s 16 federal states have approved more testing in residential care centres. The German state of Saxony has imposed restrictions on unvaccinated people. They are no longer allowed to go to indoor events or the food industry. In Germany, 67 percent of the population is vaccinated, but some states are not doing well. In Saxony, only 57 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.