Scientific advisors are to update Austrian Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein on Wednesday on the country’s coronavirus crisis, amid a rift in the coalition government over whether to introduce stricter measures.
Austria has brought back a raft of restrictions to combat soaring case numbers, which led to strained hospital capacities in some regions.
Since the start of the month, employees have had to provide proof of vaccination, COVID-19 recovery or a recent negative test in order to go to work.
Since Nov. 8, only vaccinated persons and those who have recovered from COVID-19 have been able to go to bars, restaurants, tourism and sports facilities and events.
As at Monday, unvaccinated persons had gone into a lockdown that only allows them to leave their homes under certain circumstances.
In spite of a surge in demand for vaccination appointments, Austria’s fourth wave of infections has not been slowed.
After consulting with his advisors, Mueckstein was expected to issue a written statement on the outlook, his ministry told dpa.
It remained to be seen whether the Green politician would reiterate his call for general nightly curfews, a proposal that was met with vehement opposition from Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg and his conservative Austrian People’s Party.
They had pushed back against any new restrictions for the vaccinated.
