A skating holiday in Austria is a pipe dream for the unvaccinated: a harder lockdown

The unvaccinated can forget a skating holiday in Austria entirely for now. On Monday the country brings in a harder lockdown for people who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Those people now have to stay at home.

A harder lockdown as the ‘next step’ after the leisure lockdown

There already seemed to be no skating holiday left for the unvaccinated because of the earlier leisure lockdown. Staying overnight in a hotel was not allowed, for instance.

Nor was eating out in a restaurant. With this ‘next step’ it all goes a stage further. People who are not vaccinated or recovered may not leave their homes.

There is an exception only for essential activities such as shopping and working. ‘The far-reaching measure affects millions of people over the age of twelve’, according to NU.nl.

• ‘The Austrian authorities feel compelled to act because corona infections in the Alpine country of 8.9 million inhabitants are rising quickly again’, writes the brand owned by DPG Media.

‘Hesitancy about vaccines plays a part in the harder lockdown for the unvaccinated’

Austrian chancellor Alexander Schallenberg bases the move on top-level talks with the leaders of the states. The Weissensee, skateable in almost every winter, comes under the state of Carinthia.

Schallenberg finds the vaccination rate of around 65% shameful. The chancellor does not want to penalise the vaccinated because others are hesitant about vaccines. Which is why only the unvaccinated face further restrictions.

Enthusiasts ready for a skating holiday in Austria

Every year skating enthusiasts crane their necks for the remarkable natural ice of the Weissensee.

A skating holiday in Austria feels like an experience not to be missed, certainly when the Alternative Dutch 11-City Tour goes ahead

While the first ice has yet to come, the unvaccinated may already see this holiday struck off. Although in pencil, in a sense, as lockdowns can end again. Perhaps still in time for a last-minute skating trip.

Skating on natural ice

The Weissensee is known for its annual ice guarantee. Sometimes the forming of the ice can even be predicted precisely.

It tempts thousands of Dutch people, among others, into a skating holiday, often at the end of January or the start of February.

Because in that period the Weissensee Alternative Dutch 11-City Tour organises the tours of the same name for sporting recreational skaters.

Because of developments around corona (COVID-19) it remains to be seen what happens in the coming edition . Last time the tour was cancelled.