Europe COVID-19 surge: Austrian lockdown to contain virus dampens holiday mood

Austrian government has reimposed full national lockdown as protests against new restrictions aimed at curbing COVID-19 infections spread across Europe. From midnight, today, Austrians have been asked to work from home and non-essential shops have been shut again. New restrictions have sparked protests throughout Europe, with people clashed with police in the Netherlands and Belgium. [caption id=“attachment_10156951” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Austria went into a nationwide lockdown early Monday to combat soaring coronavirus infections, a step being closely watched by other European governments struggling with national outbreaks that are straining health care systems. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_10156961” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] People wait to get COVID-19 vaccines in Vienna, Austria, Monday. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_10156971” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Employees walk outside a horse riding school in Vienna, Austria. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_10156981” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Protesters stand in front of the federal chancellery of Austria, wearing mask of the political leaders of Austria with a sign that says „ I am a pandemic failure" in Vienna, Austria, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. Due to the high rise in COVID-19 infections, on Monday morning, a nationwide lockdown started. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_10156991” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A vendor covers a newsstand with a plastic sheet on a shopping street in Vienna. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_10157001” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] People wait to get COVID-19 vaccines in Vienna. AP[/caption]