Vaccination laggard South Tyrol faces new coronavirus restrictions

Due to rising coronavirus numbers and the worst vaccination rate in Italy, the region of South Tyrol is facing new restrictions.
The highest seven-day incidence per 100,000 inhabitants in Italy was registered on Tuesday at 390 in the autonomous German-speaking province in the north of the country.
This was according to regional health councillor, Thomas Widmann, on Wednesday.
“We know from past coronavirus waves how quickly the situation can derail.
“We may have to deal with such a situation in the near future,’’ he said.
Only about 68 per cent of South Tyroleans were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, a rate much lower than the Italian average of 76.8 per cent.
“The situation is not good; we risk facing an overload of hospitals,’’ warned provincial governor Arno Kompatscher.
Because of the development, South Tyrol is likely to be classified as a “yellow” zone in the nationally established traffic light system in the near future.
This would mean, for example, that only up to four people from different households could sit at one table in restaurants.
In addition, the requirement to wear a mask would also be reintroduced outdoors.
So far, all regions and autonomous provinces in Italy are on the lowest “white” level.
“Orange” and “red” then result in severe repercussions for all areas of public life.
Politicians in South Tyrol are appealing to citizens, who are still unwilling to be vaccinated, to get the jab in order to prevent a fourth wave.
The provincial government also decided to offer a booster dose from Thursday to all people whose last vaccination was at least six months earlier.