Austria Locks Down Hotspot That Sent Virus as Far as Iceland
Austria’s Coronavirus Hotspot Tyrol Quarantined Completely
(Bloomberg) --
Austria imposed a quarantine covering the entire Alpine ski region of Tyrol after lighter measures failed to stem coronavirus contaminations from spreading.
The lockdown impacts three-quarters of a million people in 279 towns that dot the peaks and valleys of its western province. The move became necessary after Tyrol’s popular international resorts became an epicenter of contagion, infecting visitors who subsequently spread the coronavirus as far as Iceland and Norway. Now, police checkpoints are barring entrance by non-residents and citizens are confined to their homes.
The step was announced by Governor Guenther Platter in a video message and followed criticism that his administration had been too slow to react, allowing famous resorts like Ischgl and St. Anton to be kept open into this month.
“I urge you, stay at home!” Platter said in the video message. “Tyrol is isolating itself.”
Sandwiched between northern Italy and southern Germany, Tyrol relies on tourism to drive its economy. It hosted 2.8 million visitors to its ski slopes this winter season through Jan. 31. The province was also the first to contract coronavirus and is now home to about a quarter of all infected Austrians.
Under the quarantine, people have to stay in their hometown with few exceptions, such as going to work or buying food. Entry to Tyrol is forbidden except for freight and traffic in transit. The lockdown began at midnight and will expire April 5.
Austria, a country of 8.8 million, had 1,843 coronavirus cases as of Thursday morning, 437 of which were in Tyrol. Five people have died of the virus so far, according to the health ministry.
©2020 Bloomberg L.P.