Austria has declared to ban unvaccinated people in Restaurants amidst the COVID-19 surge. Roughly 64% of Austrians have been fully vaccinated complying with the European Union average but still one of the lowest rates in western Europe as many Austrians are still doubtful about vaccines. Conservative Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg stated that daily infections have been surging faster than they had expected and is foreseen to surpass previous highest records in the coming days.
In an attempt to contain the surge, unvaccinated people are announced to be barred not just on restaurants but also from hotels, events that include more than 25 people, and other public spaces. A four-week transition period will be given where a first vaccination and a PCR test will suffice to enter establishments where the unvaccinated will be banned. After this period, only fully vaccinated individuals will be given access.
The announcement came a day after the city of Vienna announced a similar policy which records the lowest infection rate in all of Austria but the highest occupancy of intensive care units for COVID-19 patients. Restaurant customers will have to bring proof of vaccination while restaurant staff will not as Schallenberg said, “One is a leisure activity undertaken voluntarily. No one forces me to go to the cinema or the restaurant. The other is my place of work,”
With additional report: reuters
Image sources: inews, aljazera and deccanherald
