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ÖSV President Peter Schröcksnadel sends an open letter to the federal government and hopes that skiing will open.
1:20 pm, November 30, 2020
Dear Federal Chancellor, dear Federal Ministers.
We are closely following the public discussion about the start of the winter season. We are all clear that winter sports must make an important contribution to containing the pandemic. We also have the greatest interest that skiing in winter 2020/21 does not lead to more Covid-19 infections. For weeks, companies have been preparing to ensure the best possible safety for winter sports enthusiasts in Austria. There are strict hygiene concepts, space restrictions, guidance systems, cameras for remote control, ventilation systems, trained personnel and testing capabilities. The experience of leading infectologists and virologists is available to assess potential hazards. The effort and discipline of the visitors already proved their worth last summer. For example, in Tyrol there were only 55 proven infections out of 3 million overnight stays.
With growing concern we are registering an international campaign against winter sportswhich is led by the main political leaders of our neighboring countries. It seems to us that the demonization of winter tourism that is not based on evidence is more of a helpless surrogate act. Furthermore, it implicitly supplies the accusation that those countries that are considering opening their winter sports facilities would act irresponsibly.
The more we appreciate it that the Federal Government of Austria resists this pressure from Rome, Paris and Berlin / Munich and makes clear, that this decision is sovereign for Austria. Even the European Commission has made it clear without a doubt that it has no jurisdiction in the matter under discussion. Even a financial replacement could not make up for public health.
There is no doubt that health problems are a priority. Exercise outdoors has been shown to have a positive influence, especially in times of physical and mental stress. This is especially true for young people. Popular sport is part of our social life, strengthens the immune system and has a lasting effect on health. And it forms the necessary foundation for competitive sport. Winter sports cannot be equated with party tourism and rampant après-ski. There is consensus that this will no longer happen this winter.
On behalf of hundreds of thousands of employees throughout winter sports, we ask you not to be discouraged in your constant line. Therefore, we ask that you continue to campaign for winter sports and ensure that the start of the season is possible without delay. Skiing is the real basis of winter tourism. We promise that we will do our part to ensure that Austria also becomes the number one ski nation this winter.
