[ad_1]
Compulsory schools, retail businesses, bodily service providers, museums and libraries – Yesterday, the government set the opening steps outlined above, which will follow the hard three-week shutdown on December 7. At the same time, the turquoise green Crown quartet left no doubt in view of the falling, but still very high, number of infections with which there was some associated risk.
“The next phase will be a balancing act,” said Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (Vice President). Because it is clear that even after the strict lockdown “the risk of infection remains extremely high” and most infections would occur in the private sphere. At the same time, they want to give people “a dignified and yet reasonably safe Christmas.” On holidays, including New Year’s Eve, up to ten people from different households can gather (see page 3).
Less intensive care patients
Health Minister Rudi Anschober (Grne) explained why, despite the slow downward movement, yesterday there were 3,972 new infections, the situation could be alleviated. The number of Covid intensive care patients in Austrian hospitals has decreased slightly (minus five percent) for a week.
With the lock “it was possible to avoid an overload.” The reproduction factor of infected people is 0.87 below 1, the weekly forecast for new daily cases is around 2000. Over the next several weeks, Anschober continued to appeal to citizens’ self-discipline. The “main problem” remains the large number of corona deaths, 121 were reported yesterday. And a wave of flu awaits hospitals, and “many postponed operations must be rescheduled quickly.”
This time, the government wants to avoid a mistake that contributed to the sharp increase in corona cases in the summer. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (VP) announced “very strict border controls” before Christmas. Aside from the exceptions for commuters and business travelers, there should be strict quarantine regulations for travelers from all neighboring countries until January 10 (ten days, days off after five days). Background: In September, a third of new infections were due to returnees, mainly from the Western Balkans. That is not “a reproach” but the reality of an “international, diverse and export-oriented country” like Austria, Kurz said.
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) referred to the fact that, in addition to the catering and hotel business until Christmas and beyond, there were groups that continued to live in harsh confinement. He is aware that culture workers are “taking the stage.” Postscript: “But it still doesn’t work.” After all, the Sports Minister had some heartwarming news for ski-loving compatriots: starting on December 24, the local ski slopes will open for hikers. There should be transportation fees for the operation of the gondolas. Of course there will be no aprs-ski or cabin magic this year.
Christmas and New Years for ten
- Private meetings: The call to avoid social contact as much as possible remains. During the day there is more freedom for meetings. A maximum of six adults and six children from two households is allowed to meet. There are exceptions for December 24, the two holidays of Christmas and New Year’s Eve: on these days, up to ten people can gather, even after 8:00 p.m.
- Exit restrictions: Starting Monday, exit restrictions only apply between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Spending time outside is only allowed during this time if necessary for the following reasons: for professional purposes, to cover the basic needs of the daily life, to help others, in emergencies, and to exercise outdoors. A distance of one meter from other people should be kept in public spaces, and in public interiors it is also mandatory to wear a mask.
- School, university, kindergarten: Compulsory school students (elementary, lower AHS, high school) return to face-to-face classes until Christmas break; from the age of ten, masking is required. High school graduates and dropouts are also learning again at school. All other pupils and students remain in distance learning, but there is an hourly opportunity for face-to-face lessons. Teachers receive FFP2 masks. Kindergartens come into regular operation under strict hygiene requirements.
- Business and services: The trade can be reopened and all services can be offered again, but without consumption (hairdressers, masseurs, etc.). The use of a mask is mandatory and in customer areas there is a restriction of ten square meters per customer. The police will check further. Next week the museums and libraries can open again, then the zoos on December 24.
- Limits: Travel abroad will be largely prevented from December 19 through strict border controls and quarantine rules. All countries in which the incidence of new infections in 14 days is greater than 100 per 100,000 inhabitants are considered risk areas. These are currently all neighboring countries. Anyone entering Austria from such a country, regardless of whether they return or visit, must be quarantined for ten days. Free testing is possible using a PCR test after five days. The regulation applies until January 10. There are exceptions for commuters.
- Gastronomy and hotels: All restaurants and hotels will be closed until at least January 7; Rooms can only be reserved for business trips that cannot be postponed. Requirements for reopening depend on the infection rate. Local can deliver food and drinks without a time limit, food can be picked up between 6 am and 7 pm It is forbidden to pick up open alcoholic beverages, which stops the counter stalls like those currently operated by some cafes.
- Events, culture: Events are still prohibited, from cultural and sporting events to private celebrations (birthdays, weddings). Christmas markets cannot take place either. Cultural institutions and cinemas should be able to reopen from January 7, subject to conditions.
- Skiing and sports: Ski lifts and cable cars may open for recreational purposes from December 24, subject to security requirements, as can outdoor sports facilities. Individual sports are allowed, contact sports are also prohibited. Indoor sports facilities and leisure facilities are closed to amateur athletes. Elite athletes are excluded. At the moment, there is no time horizon for fitness studios, restrooms, etc. to open.
- Church services, religion: The practice of religion is allowed. The religious communities themselves determine the safety rules; indoors, masks and distance are mandatory. It is still open if and how the Christmas Masses will be held. A maximum of 50 people is allowed to attend funerals, weddings.
at the registry office are only possible in exceptional cases.
Bavarian Prime Minister Sder Image: APA / dpa / Pool / Sven Hoppe
Germany is satisfied with quarantine rules
In neighboring Germany, in particular, reactions to the announcement of the new winter tourism rules were positive. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Sder, who recently warned against repeating “Ischgl” several times, was delighted. “Even if it’s difficult: safety comes first. Holidays should not become a risk, “he tweeted, evaluating the measures as” correct and understandable. “
German Health Minister Jens Spahn was also relieved. Everyone still had the experiences of February and March when the virus spread among those returning from ski vacations, Spahn recalled. Therefore, the quarantine requirement for travelers is appreciated.
Also in Austria, reactions were partly positive. The Governor of Upper Austria, Thomas Stelzer (VP), was pleased that the steps could be facilitated. “That gives us a ray of hope for next Christmas,” he said. He called for disciplined action to avoid falling into a new block. He assured support for companies. Stelzer particularly welcomed the opening of schools: “Every day our children receive an education counts,” said the governor.
SP leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner called for strict security concepts for the opening of schools and retailers in view of the still high number of cases. With the opening of compulsory schools, his demands are met, now teachers must be regularly examined and fitted with masks.
The “most positive” thing is that the compulsory schools are resuming their regular operations, said Nikolaus Scherak, deputy head of the Neos club. However, the Neos strongly criticized the inability to plan for those entrepreneurs who are not allowed to open. Furthermore, they cannot understand the strict entry regulations, which means an entry ban for around half a million Austrians abroad.
FP president Norbert Hofer again criticized that the opening of the store was too late and that now there was the threat of an avalanche of customers. Gastronomy and hospitality do not have the opportunity to open operations under clear rules. The FP boss sees the opening of the lifts positive, although it is not clear why it is so late.
Article of
Lucian mayringer
Startup Policy Editor
