A three-week lockdown in Austria came into effect Monday as the government seeks to stop the spread of Covid-19 amid an increase in the number of cases.
According to the new restrictions, residents are ordered to stay home for all but essential reasons, including work, exercise, and shopping for food. Most restaurants will be limited to selling takeaway meals, cultural events will be suspended, and major sporting events will be held without audience.
However, schools will remain open, and parents have the right to decide whether or not to send their children to school.
These measures come in response to the recent rise in the number of cases, as 14,000 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, officials said.