The news will be a blow to winter sports and Christmas market operators, potentially threatening departures at a key time.
The BBC quotes Austria’s chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg, who said lockdown would last “a maximum” of 20 days.
Under the measures, Austrians will be asked to work from home and non-essential shops will close. Restrictions will continue until 11 December but will be reassessed after 10 days.
Austria is responding to record case numbers and one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe. Its current infection rate is more than double that of the UK.
It will be a legal requirement for Austrian citizens to be vaccinated from 1 February.
