Austria plans to introduce third hard lockdown amid surging COVID-19 cases

The Austrian authorities plan to introduce a third hard lockdown due to the coronavirus from December 26, Report says, citing local tv channel oe24.

Earlier, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said that the Austrian authorities intend to avoid tightening Christmas and new year measures by analogy with neighboring countries.

According to the TV channel, the Austrian government will hold a video conference with the heads of regions on Friday afternoon. It will announce the third strict quarantine from December 26 and at least until January 11, while the option is being considered and with an extension until January 18.

From November 3 to 16, a "soft" lockdown was in effect in the country, while from November 17 to December 6, the government introduced the second rigid quarantine.