Readers disagree with lockdown for the unvaccinated in Austria

The move means unvaccinated individuals aged 12 and above will be banned from leaving their homes from midnight on Sunday, except for basic activities such as working, food shopping, going for a walk – or getting jabbed.

Our readers seemed to mostly disagree with this notion and hope that the same will not happen in the UK.

Here's what you had to say.

Judith E. Clarke said: "No. What are the benefits? Both unvaccinated and vaccinated and spread the virus."

Ray Cottier said: "No, thing's have to take there cause let's maybe if thing's get worse just reverse up a little."

Lee Mills said: "Definitely not so wrong on every level. Blackmail is against the law is it not."

Lynda Smith said: "Most definitely not."

Authorities in Austria are concerned about rising deaths and that hospitals will not be able to handle the growing influx of Covid patients.

The lockdown is understood to affect about two million people in the Alpine country of 8.9 million.

It does not apply to children under 12 because they cannot yet officially get vaccinated.

The lockdown will initially last for 10 days and police have been asked to check people outside to make sure they are vaccinated, Mr Schallenberg said.

Unvaccinated people could be fined up to 1,450 euros (£1,200) if they do not adhere to the restrictions.

Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in western Europe, with only around 65% of the total population fully vaccinated.

In recent weeks, the country has faced a worrying trend in infections. The country reported 11,552 new cases on Sunday, while a week ago there were 8,554 new infections.

Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told reporters in Vienna on Sunday: "It’s our job as the government of Austria to protect the people.

"Therefore we decided that starting Monday… there will be a lockdown for the unvaccinated.

"The rate for the unvaccinated is at over 1,700, while for the vaccinated it is at 383."