A second lockdown has been announced by the country's Government in response to rising cases, as well as a nightly curfew from 8pm to 6am.

Restrictions are due to remain in place until the end of the month, with Innsbruck scheduled to host the World Cup curtain-raiser between November 27 and 29 at the Olympic Sliding Centre.

Competition can still take place, however, as elite sport is one of the exceptions to the rules.

However, no fans will be allowed and comprehensive hygiene measures must be in place.

"With the COVID-19 prevention concepts, the International Luge Federation (FIL) and Austrian Luge Federation are well prepared for these challenges and work closely together with the Austrian federal authorities and local institutions," said FIL executive director Christoph Schweiger. 

The new World Cup season will be held almost exclusively in Europe, with no North American legs possible due to the global pandemic.

After Innsbruck, four consecutive legs are scheduled in Germany, in Altenberg, Oberhof, Winterberg and Königssee.

Sigulda in Latvia is then scheduled to host an event before second competitions in Innsbruck and Oberhof.

Königssee is due to stage the World Championships between January 29 and 31, with the World Cup season then scheduled to end in Beijing on February 20 and 21.

The competition in the Chinese capital will be a warm-up for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Both the United States and Canada have said they will not compete at any World Cup races in 2020, due to coronavirus fears.

They could return to action at the Königssee leg on January 2 and 3.

Austria has reported more than 4,000 cases of coronavirus today.

Innsbruck staged the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976, and the first Winter Youth Olympics in 2010.