Nicolas (40) and Fiona (37) have one last party before preparing for mandatory vaccination and shutdown.
– We celebrate our last night in freedom, says Nicolas, founder of the tourism industry.
The light is dim, the jazz music is on and the deep red interior gives the group of friends the bar atmosphere they need now. Maybe it’s the last party out on the town in a long time.
On Monday, Austria imposed a lockdown on the unvaccinated for ten days. They are only allowed to go out to shop, go to the doctor, work or go to school.
– FRIENDS CELEBRATE: Fiona and Nicolas are fully vaccinated and can go to the bar for the time being. They think the whole of Austria will be shut down. Photo: Santiago Vergara / TV 2
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– Unfair
– RUFT: Robert thinks it is unfair that unvaccinated people can not have a social life outside of work. Photo: Santiago Vergara / TV 2
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Nicolas and many others believe that there will be a closure for everyone, either from Monday or maybe already from Saturday.
– My mother is a doctor. The intensive care units are struggling, and must filter out the patients who will receive treatment. It seems as if closure for everyone is what is needed, says Nicolas.
Behind the counter is Robert Kocokasonko (20) in his straw hat mixing American cocktails. He is among the unvaccinated, and tests himself every day to be able to work. As an unvaccinated person, he can only go to work, to the doctor or buy food, otherwise he will be at home.
– It is rough and unfair, he says about the lockdown for the unvaccinated.
He believes the government should come up with other solutions.
– Why are you not vaccinated?
– I’m not a fan of vaccines. I think everyone should be able to decide whether they want to be vaccinated or not.
– But it is the vaccines that will save us?
– Yes, they say so, but people who have been vaccinated still get sick.
– BARS OPEN: Despite galloping infection rates in Austria, bars can still stay open until four o’clock at night in the capital. Photo: Santiago Vergara / TV 2
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The bar Roberto in the center of Vienna is not even half full this Thursday night. Bars can still be up until four o’clock in Vienna, although the corona infection has exploded in recent days.
The group of friends says that during the corona period, the government has made it a habit to make small drops about new measures. Now everyone interprets it as if there are new very strict measures, such as closure and mandatory vaccination.
– How do you view a possible new shutdown?
– DO NOT UNDERSTAND: Fiona has no understanding for those who do not get vaccinated. Photo: Santiago Vergara / TV 2
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– I’m pretty disappointed. We have heard for a long time that the vaccines will save us, but then we will be locked inside again, says Fiona, who works with sales.
Both she and Nicolas are fully vaccinated. She has no understanding for those who do not get vaccinated.
Austria’s intervention measures against the unvaccinated have made headlines around the world.
– We are even in the headlines in Brazil, says Nicolas.
Mandatory testing?
The debate is going on in Austria about compulsory vaccination. Nicolas is for people to be forced to get vaccinated.
– Yes, I think so. This is about the whole society. It is true that these vaccines have not been tested for years, but it is about that this is the only way society can continue to function, says Nicolas.
In the Christmas-decorated streets of Vienna, people rush off. If you are going into a store, you will in some places be asked for a corona passport. Mouthpieces are mandatory inside stores. Not the usual surgical sanitary napkins, but FFP2 type sanitary napkins. Binder of stiffer quality that resembles a bird’s beak.
The mood is weak in Austria. Restaurants and bars have fewer guests than usual. The hotels do not get the bookings they had hoped for. Infection rates are at a record high, in recent days up to 14,000 a day. As many as 40 people die every day.
The police have been given the task of checking that the suspension for the unvaccinated must be followed. Violation of the rules can lead to a fine of up to 1450 euros, which is equivalent to 14,346 Norwegian kroner.
– FINES: The police must check that people meet the requirements for corona passports and that unvaccinated people stay at home. People can be fined. Photo: Santiago Vergara / TV 2
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Experts and politicians are looking for measures that can help. One of them is mandatory vaccination, an interventional measure. Several infection control experts are requesting a full lockdown. The compromise could be a curfew at night. On Friday, the government will announce new measures.
One third unvaccinated
Austria is among the worst vaccinated in Europe, if one disregards some Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and Romania. Just under 64 percent are fully vaccinated.
In order to get more people vaccinated, two types of corona passports have been introduced. Only the 2G variant provides access to, among other things, restaurants and bars. To get this type of corona pass you must be fully vaccinated or have had covid-19 recently.
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VIENNA BY NIGHT: You can still eat food outdoors without being asked for a corona passport. Indoors, you must be fully vaccinated to eat. Photo: Santiago Vergara / TV 2
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FEWER PEOPLE: The corona situation results in fewer people on the streets of Vienna. Photo: Santiago Vergara S.
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VIENNA: On Friday, the government will come up with more measures against COVID-19. Many fear further closure. Photo: Santiago Vergara S.
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FEARING INCOME: The pre-Christmas period is important for the trade fair in Vienna. With significantly fewer people in the streets, it goes beyond revenue. Photo: Santiago Vergara S.
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“Doctors and health professionals from all over Austria have told me about the dramatic situation in hospitals and intensive care units,” President Alexander Van der Bellen tweeted on Thursday.
He warned that healthcare professionals, who fight daily for the survival of coronary heart disease, are working at the limit of what they can handle.
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