As the situation in intensive care units is becoming increasingly dramatic, those who have not been vaccinated may face lockdown. “I will not allow the health system to be overburdened just because there are still too many people hesitating and delaying vaccination,” the politician said.

At their emergency meeting on Friday, the Austrian federal government and the governors of the federal states agreed to tighten protection measures to curb the coronavirus outbreak. The new regulation, which has been extended to five steps, mainly includes restrictions for unvaccinated people.

Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said the “pandemic of unvaccinated people” must be prevented. He added that it must be made clear to all of them that “they have a great responsibility,” which is reflected in the occupancy of intensive care units, posing a risk to those who need medical care apart from the epidemic.

“I will not allow the health system to be overburdened just because there are still too many people hesitating and delaying vaccination,” the politician said.

Currently, with around 200 ICU beds occupied, the first level of measures is in place in Austria. Level 2 will come in effect at 300 ICU beds. From then, only those vaccinated or recovered from the disease will be allowed to visit night-time catering facilities and attend events over 500 people with no designated seating. This measure is already in place in Vienna.

Level 3 will be introduced from 400 coronavirus patients treated on ICU beds. Antigen tests will not be accepted from that point on, and the above privileges will only be available to those vaccinated, recovered or holding a negative PCR test.

Health Minister Wolfgang Muckstein said the country could soon see the introduction of level 3 measures.

The new 4th level of the protection plan comes into force at 500 occupied ICU beds, from then non-vaccinated people cannot enter catering facilities even with a negative PCR test, and they cannot use hotel facilities. They will also be excluded from events, cultural and leisure facilities, and sporting events.

If the occupancy rate of intensive care units exceeds 30 per cent (which means approximately 600 beds), level 5 will follow, which would bring “movement restrictions” for unvaccinated people, Mr Muckstein said. It means a lockdown similar to those in the previous phases of the pandemic, during which one can only leave his or her home in a few exceptional cases.