Police in Austria have been ordered to stop individuals on streets to enforce a lockdown on those who have not been vaccinated against coronavirus. The move comes amid rising case numbers across Europe.
Getting underway on Monday, the stricter regulations mean citizens who are unable to show vaccination proof and are seen entering cinemas, retail stores or gyms face fines from €500. In addition, business owners could be fined €3,600, according to the Interior Ministry.
During a press conference in Vienna, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said Austria needs to increase its “shamefully low vaccination rate. We are not taking this step lightly. But unfortunately it’s necessary.”
The stance being taken by Austria to contain the virus comes amid a warning from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control that Covid cases are soaring.
Professor Eva Schernhammer from the Medical University of Vienna, said the measures were required, warning that hospital intensive care units were filling up. "It's already projected that within two weeks we'll have reached the limit," she said.
Similar measures may be implemented in Germany. There are plans to introduce tighter restrictions for the unvaccinated, said deputy head of the Green Party, Oliver Krischer.
“It’s absolutely necessary that there has to be contact restrictions for unvaccinated,” Krischer told ZDF television on Monday. “It’s very, very important that the majority of the population -- the people who have gotten vaccinated, the people who have done their part -- are able to continue to take part in public life.”
Germany reported a record contagion rate on Monday, with 303 cases per 100,000 people over the past week, close to three times as much as last year.
Germany's 67.3% vaccination rate is higher than in Austria, and Germany has designated Austria a high-risk area, meaning arrivals must quarantine, BBC reports.