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The Minister of Health, Rudolf Anschober, confirms: Face screens will be prohibited, but with a transition phase and with exceptions. The distance rule is again legally binding.
11.09 am, October 22, 2020
Controversial “face shields”, which do not have the same protective effect as masks, should now be banned. The ban is now part of the regulation, which takes effect at midnight. That was known in advance and the Minister of Health Rudolf anschober confirmed it. However, there will be a transition phase and exceptions for asthmatics, for example.
Areas where face shields are used are manageable anyway: Anchober mentioned the catering trade, hair salon, and parts of retail as examples.
The “Kurier” reported this Thursday with reference to a draft regulation available to the newspaper, according to which so-called “face shields” will be prohibited. In all places in Austria where a mask is required, they are no longer recognized as protective devices. According to “Kurier”, the word sequence “and very tight” is added to the relevant passage in the text of the regulation. In the explanations it says that the background is “condensed evidence, according to which the ‘face shields’ in particular do not have an aerosol inhibiting effect comparable to the classic masks”. The little chin visors should also be affected. Mario Pulker, head of the gastronomy division of the Chamber of Commerce, confirmed the plan in front of the “morning newspaper” Ö1.
Anchober also confirmed that the regulation is a Resuscitation of the 1 meter distance rules (“baby elephant”) repealed at the end of July when entering public places (on the street). Since the end of July, this measure only exists as a recommendation from Anschober, now it could once again become a legally binding regulation.
The regulation had been withdrawn as a result of the lifting of general restrictions on exit from the crown (by the Constitutional Court in mid-July). The reason for this was that the rule of the subway in public spaces was not supposed to be legally covered either. The necessary “repair” of the Covid-19 Measures Law was carried out in September.
On Monday, the government announced the other adjustments expected from Friday, which will also be implemented with the regulation. From then on, only six people will be allowed inside and twelve outside. At professional events, 1,500 visitors are allowed outside and 1,000 inside, wearing a face mask is mandatory at events and serving food and drinks is prohibited.
