Austria Braces for 2nd Lockdown

Austria is heading toward a second national lockdown that will be in place for at least two and a half weeks over fears of a new coronavirus outbreak.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has urged Austrians not to meet anyone from outside their household in an attempt to curb a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases.

He said schools would close and students would learn from home when new measures come into force on Tuesday.

According to latest figures, Austria reported a record number of 9,586 new daily infections on Friday.

The country has recorded more than 191,000 cases since the start of the pandemic, and 1,661 Covid-related deaths.

"The new lockdown measures, which will see all non-essential shops and services - including hairdressers - close, will remain in place until 6 December."

People have been told to work at home wherever possible.

Austria's Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said it was the last chance to stop the health service from collapsing under the pressure of new infections.

He said Austrians had already done it once and they could do it again.

Austria had its first nationwide lockdown in March, during the first wave of the pandemic.

Countries across Europe are experiencing a jump in coronavirus cases, with some - such as Sweden - warning that it is too early to plan for Christmas travel.