Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg made the announcement at a press conference in a Tyrol hotel where Austrian government officials met last night to decide on the new measures.

"Starting Monday, for a maximum of 20 days, a nationwide lockdown will apply," he announced. "[In addition], we will initiate countrywide compulsory vaccination [which] will enter into effect from February 1, 2022."

Nationwide mandatory vaccination as of February

"Despite an intensive media campaign ... we have not been able to convince enough people to get vaccinated," explained Schallenberg. "For a long time, the political consensus was not to introduce mandatory vaccination ... but we must look reality in the eyes."

The Austrian chancellor argued that there are "too many political forces in this country who openly and vehemently oppose this."

"This [is] irresponsible, this is actually an attack on our health system," he said. "Because of these radical anti-vaxxers and because of fake news, too many of us have not been vaccinated."

"We don't want a fifth wave," said Schallenberg.

To date, roughly 2 million people out of Austria's population of 9 million remain unvaccinated.

People who refuse to comply with next February's mandate could face a fine of up to 3,600 Euros (roughly $4,000) or a 4 weeks prison sentence, if numbers found in a draft bill for health professionals are applied to the entire population. A fine of up to 1,450 euros (roughly $1,600 USD) or a prison sentence of 4 weeks could also be applied to those who fail to receive booster shots... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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