Austria has taken what its leader called the "dramatic” step of implementing a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people who haven't recently had Covid-19, perhaps the most drastic of a string of measures being taken by European governments to get a massive regional resurgence of the coronavirus under control, reports AP.

The move prohibits people aged 12 and above who haven't been vaccinated or recently recovered from leaving their homes except for basic activities such as working, grocery shopping, going to school or university or for a walk or getting vaccinated.

The lockdown is initially being imposed until November 24. It doesn't apply to children under 12 because they cannot yet officially get vaccinated.