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Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) later emphasized that there had been “an intense discussion”, although the issue “was not on the Council’s agenda.” However, this has been requested because there are “areas where European coordination is important”. A “second lockdown in Austria” should be avoided, Kurz said.
Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s press release can be seen in the video:
For example, there are different provisions in individual countries regarding travel advisories and quarantine rules, Kurz explained. When traveling, it would be necessary to “trust the evidence” in addition to the quarantine rules in order to guarantee a minimum of travel. The European Commission is doing a good job of acquiring a vaccine, the Chancellor said.
It is now important to better coordinate the rules within Europe. Here there was an understanding among many heads of government that there had to be uniform rules for travel. The summer had shown that “tourism is possible” if there are adequate concepts. The discussion at the summit was a “first step in the right direction.”
Autumn and winter as a challenge
Fall and winter would be very difficult, Kurz said. However, it shows that his assessment that there is “light at the end of the tunnel” and that the pandemic will be over in the summer of 2021 is “increasingly realistic.” In much of Europe, however, the situation is currently deteriorating. There are massive increases in infection rates in Hungary, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and other countries.
The Chancellor demanded that infections be avoided in the private sector in particular, because that is the “place where infections occur.” It is especially important here to convince young people, because an increase in infections places massive burdens on the economy and this must be avoided, Kurz said.
