“Vaccination miracle” in Austria thanks to the 2G rule - is it too late?

The 2G rule has been in effect throughout Austria since Monday.

This causes a rush of vaccinations: On Saturday alone, 256 percent more people were vaccinated than usual.

Vienna - The Corona numbers in Austria are reaching highs.

On Monday there were 8,178 new infections nationwide, the seven-day incidence was 635.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants across Austria.

The country is currently in twelfth place among the countries with the highest incidence worldwide.

For comparison: In Germany there are 213.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

This is also a negative record since the beginning of the pandemic, but far from the figures for the Alpine republic.

Austria has therefore decided to introduce a 2G regulation nationwide.

It is now bearing its first fruits, because at the weekend there was a real rush to the vaccination centers.

But it might come too late.

Experts: Measures may come too late, regional lockdowns possible

On Saturday alone, 32,000 people were vaccinated in Austria, so far it was around 9,000 per day on average, as the newspaper

reports. This corresponds to an increase of 256 percent. The 2G regulation that came into force on Monday is therefore having an effect.

even writes of a “vaccination miracle”. However, experts warn that the measures may have come too late. Because currently 377 intensive care beds are already occupied. If the development continues like this, "it will have to be decided regionally whether lockdowns are necessary," said SPÖ party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner in an interview with

.

The Austrian Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler does not rule out regional lockdowns either, but they are "the very last consequence", he said in the press hour of the

on Sunday.

Austria's Minister of the Interior on 2G: "Increase control pressure in the next few days"

The 2G rule in Austria only allows those who have been vaccinated or recovered to access cinemas, cafés, restaurants, hairdressers and events. A "free testing" is no longer possible. This restriction in everyday life had led to the need for vaccinations. The bars check the “Green Pass” at the entrance. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer also announced on Monday that they would “increase the control pressure in the next few days.” The Austrian police will therefore increasingly monitor compliance with the 2G regulation in public spaces. For this purpose, Austria is making 800 more civil servants available, including criminal police officers. 4,000 police officers are already on the road in normal patrol duty. Anyone found in a café, restaurant or cinema without valid proof must pay a fine of up to 500 euros. It will be even more expensive for hostsup to 30,000 euros are due here. The forgery of a vaccination certificate or a “green passport” has even more far-reaching consequences. Because this is a forgery of documents, there is a risk of imprisonment. *

is an offer from