Celebrating Christmas with the family: This is possible in Austria despite the lockdown for unvaccinated people. The Minister of Health announced exceptions over the holidays.
Vienna – “We must continue to be careful” is the motto of Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens). Austria’s Minister of Health spoke on Friday (December 17th) about the current Corona * situation in the Alpine republic. The lockdown, which lasted several weeks, gave everyone a certain amount of leeway. Since Sunday (December 12th) it has only been valid for unvaccinated people and is to be extended for this group, Mückstein explained – with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Corona lockdown for unvaccinated people in Austria: Exceptions on Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Over the holidays and the turn of the year, the corona rules in Austria will also be relaxed for unvaccinated people. On December 24th, 25th and 26th as well as on December 31st, family celebrations without the 2G rule and with a maximum of ten people are permitted, announced Mückstein. For parties with more than ten participants, however, the 2G rule still applies. The upper limit is then 25 participants.
The Minister of Health asked to be tested before possible meetings over Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In addition, Mückstein asked to be vaccinated against Corona * and to “celebrate with caution”.
Austria: Lockdown for unvaccinated people extended – concern about Omikron
In principle, the lockdown for unvaccinated people *, which was originally valid until December 21, has been extended by an initial ten days. The 2G rule for the catering, hotel and retail sectors will remain in place over Christmas and New Year’s Eve, said the Minister of Health. According to the government, an end to the lockdown for unvaccinated people in Austria is not in sight anyway. The introduction of a general compulsory corona vaccination is planned for February 1st in the Alpine republic.
As in many European countries, an omikron wave is expected in Austria in January. With a view to the rapidly spreading variant, Mückstein did not want to commit himself whether there could be another lockdown for everyone. He will not rule out anything for January, said the health minister. There are currently 75 confirmed Omikron cases in Austria, Mückstein said.
However, data from other countries show that Omikron is on the rise. In many European countries, the number of cases of the new variant is increasing enormously, sometimes doubling within a few days. In Great Britain and Denmark, Omikron has already set new daily records for the number of new corona infections. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) also expects a “massive fifth wave” in Germany. (ph with dpa) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
