Austria, once again confined, freezes for three weeks

In Austria, all Christmas markets were taken down, three days after they opened. A trader estimates his losses at around 50,000 euros. Despite the order to stay at home, the streets are not deserted. Austrians can still drive without a certificate to go to work or to the supermarket. Nurseries and schools are open, but all non-essential stores are closed. “It’s very hard. If every winter we tell people to lock themselves up, to quarantine … that’s not the solution”, deplores a passer-by.

The authorities believe for their part that confinement is essential, in the face of the saturation of many hospitals. In Salzburg, a team of doctors has been set up to triage patients. “The Austrian government hopes to stop the outbreak of contaminations by December 13, beyond that date it promises that almost all restrictions will be lifted, at least for those vaccinated.”, explains journalist Laurent Desbonnets.