Covid rules spark protests in Vienna

​​Across Europe, there's been a surge in the number of cases of Covid-19. Hospital intensive care units have reached capacity in some areas, and the death toll is rising once more. As a result, some governments are once again imposing strict lockdown measures.

Austria has been placed in a state of partial lockdown. This has meant that the population of 8.9 million won't be allowed to leave home except to go to work, shop for essentials and exercise.

The Austrian government also announced that, as of 1st February 2022, vaccination against Covid-19 will be made mandatory. This has led to tens of thousands of people protesting in Vienna.

The Netherlands, Croatia, and Belgium all saw protests against renewed restrictions including the need for vaccination passes to enter venues. This has come at a time when Germany has seen a 50 percent increase in new Covid cases in just one week, and Norway seeing a 67 percent rise in deaths.

Hans Kluge, who is the regional director of the World Health Organisation, blamed the low levels of vaccination and the Delta variant in Europe for the surge in cases. He stated that stricter measures such as vaccinations, the wearing of masks and the use of vaccination passes need to be put in place. Failing this, Europe could see another half a million deaths by spring 2022.

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