Austria is placing about 2 million unvaccinated people in lockdown from Monday amid record infection levels and growing pressure on hospitals.
“We are not taking this step lightly but it is necessary,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said.
Unvaccinated people will only be able to leave home for a limited number of reasons, like working or buying food.
About 65% of Austria’s population is fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in western Europe.
The unvaccinated were already barred from visiting restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas but will now be told to stay at home.
“In reality we have told one third of the population: you will not leave your apartment anymore apart from for certain reasons,” Mr Schallenberg said.
“That is a massive reduction in contacts between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated.”
The government says police will carry out spot checks in public spaces to determine their vaccination status.
BBC