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The government announced a tightening of the crown rules for the holidays. Ten people can hold meetings on December 24 and 25 only.
Four days after the entry into force of the easing, the government announced again the first adjustment: New Year’s Eve will be carried out with a foam brake. A maximum of six adults (and six children) from two households can enter the new year together. This was announced by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) on Friday evening.
“The end of the year holidays would mean the catastrophe of January,” argued the chancellor of the decision. In general, the holidays are an “extremely challenging time.” The risk of infection is particularly high when you are together with friends and family. Not surprisingly, many other countries in Austria would enter a total blockade during the all-time holidays. “We are trying to make a certain amount of freedom possible here,” Kurz said, but that is why there is “the urgent request to abide by the rules.”
They will be a bit stricter than expected. In the previous week, the government promised exceptions for December 24, 25, 26 and 31. In fact, these should only be given on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Ten people (regardless of the number of households) are allowed to meet. The departure restrictions, which actually apply from 8 pm to 6 am, also do not apply on these days. However, this no longer applies to Stefanitag.
“Even if everyone is looking forward to Christmas, this time it has to be different,” says Vice Chancellor Kogler. According to the creed, the smaller the circle you celebrate in, the better.
Evening celebrations are allowed
In general, nightly visits to other people’s apartments between 8 pm and 6 am are currently prohibited. Also, only six adults (plus six children) from two households can meet during the day. That will be the case on December 26. On New Years Eve, the contact restriction remains in effect, but the exit restriction drops. So you can spend the night outdoors or at a friend’s apartment.
The government agreed on these holiday rules with state governors on Friday night. At 7 pm they met for a video conference. However, this took much longer than the two hours scheduled. As Kogler put it, it was “a long and intense exchange.” Recently, the relationship between the federal government and the federal states has been quite tense.
Mandatory outdoor mask
On Friday night, however, a further adjustment was finally agreed. This includes expanding the mask requirement. It should also be applied outdoors in “heavily frequented areas”. This means, for example, shopping streets or popular public places. In addition, protection of the mouth and nose is also becoming mandatory in the workplace, specifically where the minimum distance cannot be maintained.
The federal and state governments also agreed on a date for the second round of massive testing. The nationwide tests will take place from January 8 to 10. In some federal states, however, it will take more days. In Vienna, the test will take place from January 8 to 17.
In general, the government wants to try more in the new year. Starting from a given incidence value (and not defined in more detail), nationwide testing should be conducted in individual districts. This can avoid regional quarantine requirements. As announced by the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor, there will be tests for certain professions every two weeks. These include body hugging services, occupational groups with a lot of contact with clients, and teachers.
