Austria: Authorities to place Kuchi (Salzburg) under lockdown from October 17 /update 22

Event

Authorities have stated that they will place the town of Kuchi (Salzburg) under lockdown between Saturday, October 17, and November 1, to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Entry and exit into the town will be limited over this period to deliveries and essential workers.

Austrian authorities tightened COVID-19 restrictions nationwide on September 21 due to an increase in cases across the country. Indoor gatherings are limited to ten people, except for those in private residences. Outdoor events are limited to 100 people, while events with seating available are permitted to hold up to 3000 people outdoors and 1500 indoors. Restaurants and bars must seat a maximum of ten people per table, only serve seated customers, and close by 01:00 (local time). Wearing face coverings is also mandatory in restaurants, bars, and open markets, unless seated. Face coverings are also mandatory in all public spaces including retail shops, schools, government buildings, and supermarkets, as well as on public transportation.

As of Friday, October 16, there have been 60,224 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Austria with 877 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.