Polarized Austria ends blockade as vaccine mandate looms

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(Bloomberg) – Austria ended the nationwide coronavirus blockade for most people on Sunday, maintaining restrictions for the unvaccinated as it pushes ahead with the boldest incentive in Europe to increase vaccinations.

Starting Sunday, those rejected by the vaccine can only leave their homes to go to work, where they will need to provide a negative coronavirus test every two days and for essential purchases and daily exercise. Entry to other places will be prohibited.

Life will slowly return to normal for people who have received a vaccine or have recently recovered from the virus, with regions implementing a patchwork of easing programs. Concerts will restart, museums and restaurants will reopen and Christmas markets will come back to life.

The lockdown has helped reduce Austria’s daily infections to about a third of its late November peak, but hospitalizations remain close to levels believed to jeopardize the nation’s ability to serve all patients.

Officials also fear a new wave of infections starting in January if the most contagious variant of omicron, already identified in Austria, spreads widely.

The new normal risks further polarizing a nation that has one of the lowest vaccine uptake rates in Western Europe, even as the level of vaccinations has risen in the past month.

About 72% of Austrians have now received at least one dose of the vaccine, up from 68% a month ago, and 69% are fully inoculated.

As evidence of the growing gap within its population, even as a vocal minority opposes vaccines – and has taken to the streets to make it known – Austria now leads its peers in giving booster shots that can be key to increasing defense against new variants.

How Austria intends to implement a mandatory vaccine policy

Recently appointed Chancellor Karl Nehammer is leading efforts to make vaccines mandatory starting in February. According to a draft law, dissidents face fines of up to 3,600 euros (4,072 dollars). All but one parliamentary groups support the initiative.

The exception is the far-right Freedom Party, which organized a third demonstration in central Vienna on Saturday. More than 40,000 people attended, according to police estimates, similar to the crowds seen on two previous occasions.

While not going as far as Austria’s plan, some European nations have made vaccinations mandatory for certain professions, including doctors, teachers or public workers. Greece makes them mandatory for people over 60.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on the bloc to start discussions on mandates and German lawmakers could also vote on stringent requirements in the coming months.

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