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On Friday the federal government decided to tighten the rules again in a video conference with state governors.
Of Michael Jungwirth | 10:57 pm, December 11, 2020
Since the number of infections is only declining very slowly after the lockdown ends (2,686 new infections were reported on Friday), the situation is now hardening. In long, sometimes heated debates, the federal government and provincial governors agreed to this on Friday night. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) announced this at a press conference together with Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens).
For the first time in Austria, mouth and nose protection will soon have to be used outdoors in many places, specifically in “highly frequented places”. The federal states should decide on this. This regulation could reportedly apply to all shopping streets, for example on Mariahilferstrasse in Vienna, or in large parts of Graz or the old town of Klagenfurt. Until now, the requirement for masks has been limited to the indoor area (train stations, subways, buses, trams, shops, restaurants, theaters, other event areas).
Regulations for New Year’s Eve are also tightened. Previously it was planned that up to ten people, theoretically from ten households, could celebrate the change of the year. Now this is again limited to two households. The night curfew will be lifted at the beginning of the year. There is also a slight tightening at Christmas: only on Christmas Eve and on Christmas day up to ten people can gather, on December 26 it will be canceled.
Mass testing will also be expanded. The federal government and the federal states want to re-test all Austrians for antigenic testing from January 8 to 10 (in Vienna from January 8 to 17). Regular tests should also be extended to specific target groups with close physical contact or close contact with the client (hairdressers, masseurs, teachers, directors) from January 1, every two weeks. The tests should also be carried out in severely affected regions (currently, for example, East Tyrol); they would be mandatory for the population.
Kurz spoke of the “right direction”. At the same time, however, he recalled once again the current exit and contact restrictions. “The fewer people meeting privately, the better.” Kurz appealed: “The pandemic is not over. We are going to have a hard time. Comply with all measurements. Please let yourself be tested. “The situation in hospitals and intensive care units has not eased. “Please take this seriously!”
“The situation is tense and will continue to be tense,” warned the vice chancellor. Werner Kogler (Greens) and referred to the upcoming flu season. “And we don’t even know how this year will turn out.” Kogler appealed to the population: “We will persevere, we want to persevere and persevere now also means being united.”
“The states, of course, support the measures presented today. However, individual details have yet to be clarified and coordinated,” said the governor of Salzburg. Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP), current president of the conference of provincial governors, after the meeting.
The harsh blockade was only loosened as of December 7. Retail trade was allowed to reopen under certain conditions, as well as hair salons, cosmetic studios, massage therapists, museums and libraries. Starting December 24, individual outdoor sports such as skiing or ice skating will be allowed. The gastronomy, the hotel and other cultural activities will be closed for the moment. Recently, due to the high number of infections, there was a debate about whether Austria ended its “strict lockdown” too soon.
