Austria enters partial coronavirus lockdown

Shopping streets stayed empty in Vienna on Tuesday as Austria entered a partial coronavirus lockdown.

Non-essential businesses such as restaurants, bars, sports facilities and hair salons also remained closed as the new restrictions came into force.

Under the measures, which will be in effect until at least 6 December, only essential shops like supermarkets, butchers, pharmacies and bakeries will be allowed to trade.

A limited curfew banning people from leaving their homes except to go to work, get essential supplies, to exercise or to help people who need assistance also began on Tuesday.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz had said on Saturday that the measures were necessary because Austria had seen a weekly average of 550 new cases of coronavirus per 100,000 inhabitants, a level 11 times greater than what authorities said would be sustainable.