Austria hits two-month low in virus cases as country reopens

VIENNA — Austria reported less than 2,000 caller coronavirus cases, the lowest fig since October, arsenic the past fewer regions successful the state reopened restaurants and hotels connected Monday.

Austria saw 1,792 caller infections n 24 hours, down from regular highs of astir 13,000 regular cases successful precocious November — a inclination that stands successful opposition to rising cases crossed overmuch of Europe.

In effect to a large surge of infections, the tiny Alpine federation went into a 20-day lockdown connected Nov. 22. National lockdown restrictions were lifted for vaccinated radical connected Dec. 12, but stay successful spot for unvaccinated people.

Since Dec. 12, each of Austria’s 9 states has acceptable its ain argumentation regarding reopening: In immoderate states, restaurants and hotels reopened immediately, portion successful others they remained closed a fewer days longer.

The capital, Vienna, opted to unfastened shops and Christmas markets past week, but kept restaurants and hotels closed until Monday.

The latest lawsuit numbers amusement the payment of the lockdown, particularly arsenic the omicron variant has led to rising cases elsewhere crossed Europe. Austria’s seven-day complaint of caller infections present stands astatine 215 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with a precocious of 1,100 per 100,000 precocious past month.

In addition, the fig of patients successful intensive attraction units has besides dropped, though much dilatory than the lawsuit numbers. There are 475 radical being treated successful ICUs, down from a precocious of 664 successful aboriginal December.

As the state reopens domestically, Austrian officials person introduced stricter question restrictions for those entering from abroad, to dilatory the dispersed of the omicron variant.

Starting aboriginal Monday, travelers to Austria indispensable amusement impervious of either vaccination oregon betterment to participate the country. In addition, 2 doses of vaccine is nary longer considered capable for entry: Travelers indispensable either amusement impervious of a 3rd dose oregon a PCR test.

Austrian citizens, residents and European Union citizens tin inactive participate without impervious of vaccination oregon recovery, but look a mandatory 10-day quarantine connected arrival.