Reintesten is coming – Coalition with SPÖ ongoing – Coronavirus –

This means that after the confinement it will be possible to participate in events and take a vacation with a negative spot. The social partners and the federal states also agree with this approach. In addition, according to information from the APA, there are weekly tests for certain professional groups such as teachers, but also for students.

The original plan of the government envisaged that one could free himself from a confinement and thus be able to use the trade, but also the catering trade, without restrictions. This had been rejected by the opposition for various reasons and, therefore, demolished, since a blockade in the Federal Council would have caused a delay of about two months.

Now the coalition has managed to at least reach an agreement with the Social Democrats on key points that, however, neglect gastronomy and retail. Of course, the exact text of the law is only being worked out and should be available on Tuesday when the health committee takes up the matter. The decision in the National Council should be made on Thursday. With the SPÖ, the Federal Council would no longer represent an obstacle.

Specifically, it is foreseen that for events with 20 or more participants and in hotels, a proof that does not have more than 48 hours must be presented at the time of entry. Operators must verify. If they wish to offer a test on site, the material will be made available to them free of charge. People who have overcome a corona infection in the last three months are excluded from the obligation.

For certain professional groups there is an obligation to take the test weekly. This applies to close-to-body service providers such as hairdressers or masseurs, but also to teachers, kindergarten staff, drivers, physical trainers, dance teachers, waiters or tourism staff with customer contact. The test can be done during business hours; the social partners must agree on protection against dismissal in the event of a positive test. If you do not want to be tested, you should wear a higher quality FFP2 mask.

The federal states will provide a regular testing infrastructure for testing. Vienna already has one, other countries are planning it or are already implementing it. The tests can also be carried out directly in companies, pharmacies or laboratories. As a result, they want to rely more and more on self-tests as soon as they are approved and reliable enough, an initiative that was created some time ago by the leader of the SPÖ, Pamela Rendi-Wagner. Obtaining such evidence will be expedited.

The novelty is that students must be assessed once a week through these “simple self-assessments” in schools. Details of this will be announced by Education Minister Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP) on Saturday. However, it is unclear whether the school will resume face-to-face classes early next week as planned. This depends on the development of the infection, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) said in a written statement that the goal was to keep the infection process under control as much as possible with as much testing as possible in the post-shutdown phase. Of course, it is not yet clear when the lockdown will end. Under current plans, it should continue for another two weeks.

All information about the corona pandemic in VOL.AT