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The “Relaxation Ordinance COVID-19”, the official title, published on Thursday night supersedes the expiring regulations that have largely determined the “closure” in Austria since March 16.
Therefore, the relaxation already announced could take effect gradually from Friday. The “exit restrictions” end, but the 1 meter distance rule still applies. A mask requirement is new in all closed public rooms.
The so-called “exit restrictions,” which contained the ban (with wide exceptions) from “entering public places,” end. The regulation, under which entry to stores was prohibited or only permitted under certain conditions, expires.
“There is no need for emotion”
The Minister of Health has caused confusion with this regulation. Entrepreneurs feared the opening announced for May, criticism came from Vice President Tirol, the deputy minister made the opening in May clear, and then also the owner.
“There is no reason for emotion,” he said in writing on Friday afternoon. It was “all quite clear and easy to understand”. With the easing regulation “now traffic restrictions are lifted”, and “the opening of the catering industry will take place on May 15, on May 29, the accommodation facilities will reopen for tourism purposes. The regulations will follow that regulate these additional steps. “
The Ministry of Health had already explained that the government’s roadmap for new openings in May is still correct, even if, according to the relaxation regulation announced Thursday night, the entrances prohibit accommodation establishments, restaurants or institutions Cultural and leisure activities (such as swimming pools, museums, zoos, etc.) apply for another eight weeks. But: Last week we are working on an amendment to this regulation. Additional openings depend, of course, on epidemiological development, he said.
Köstinger made it clear: Gastro opening on May 15 solved
However, according to ÖVP Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger, it is very clear: “The restaurants will open as planned on May 15. The opening of the accommodation and leisure facilities, as well as the cable cars, will continue on May 29 “I had already shipped Friday morning. In the case of hoteliers and restaurateurs, the Schobler regulation has fueled fears that the opening will be postponed to the end of June, his ministry explained.
“The ministry is oblivious to the needs of entrepreneurs”
ÖVP’s Tyrolean business wing found stronger words: “What now applies to Mr Anschober? His regulation applied at the last second, shortly before midnight, in which he locks Austria until June 30 or announcements from Federal Ministers, Austria, gradually over the next few weeks open? – The head of the Tyrol Economic Federation (and president of the Chamber of Commerce cable car association) Franz Hörl told the Minister of Health that “the needs of the entrepreneurs were alien to him”.
Opposition: “Again deceived”
The opposition immediately took up the matter: “ÖVP and the Greens have once again misled businessmen,” said club president Herbert Kickl in a press release, demanding “clarity, legal certainty and predictability” for the innkeepers. too. Legal certainty warned NEOS business spokesman Sepp Schellhorn. As it stands now, “Köstinger and Co. restaurateurs and hoteliers would simply have to believe that bars can reopen from May 15 and hotels from May 29 cannot legally trust them.”
Minimum distance and mouth-nose protection
With the new regulations (available in the federal legal information system https://www.ris.bka.gv.at), it is now allowed to “enter public places” not only in exceptional cases previously applicable, but in principle. However, there is a central restriction: anyone traveling in public spaces must continue to maintain a minimum distance of one meter from all people who do not live in the same home. Although this has been the case so far, it fell under one of the exceptions to the basic ban.
New is the provision that “when entering public places in locked rooms” additional nose and mouth protection must be worn.
Events with ten participants allowed
Public events with a maximum of ten participants are now allowed, others are prohibited. This applies to cultural events, sporting events, weddings, film screenings (i.e. cinemas), exhibitions and conferences. At funerals, 30 participants are allowed. Y: This prohibition does not explicitly affect events in the private sector. Meetings under the Assembly Law are also allowed.
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The mask requirement remains when shopping and on public transportation. It is clarified that the minimum distance of 1 meter in mass transport vehicles does not have to be observed if this is not possible due to the large number of passengers or when boarding and alighting. In stores, employees should also wear masks, unless there is another protective device for spatial separation.
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Largest stores open on Saturday
As previously announced, significant relaxation relates to trade away from supermarkets and pharmacies, which were allowed to stay open from the start. Although the smallest companies have been able to operate again since April 14, from May 2, even those with more than 400 square meters can open. Also, with a mask requirement, more people are allowed to enter stores than before: instead of 20 square meters as before, only ten per customer should be available.
This also expressly applies to religious institutions and open-air markets.
There are no special store opening hours.
If there is no additional regulation, stores can return to their normal opening hours before Corona from May 2. Because in the decree of the health minister announced on Thursday night there are no special opening hours. And the ordinance, which specified from 7.40 a.m. at 7 p.m., expired on April 30.
The regulation, which allowed stores of up to 400 m2 to reopen after Easter, explicitly stated that the exceptions apply on “business days from 7:40 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the latest.” This is no longer in the new “Relaxation Ordinance”, nor are there any other requirements for opening hours.
Exceptions are defined in the regulation: entry bans and regulations (such as the distance rule and protective masks) are not applied, for example, “to avoid immediate danger to life, limbs and property” , in the care and assistance of people who need support, or “to supervise minor children”.
Persons with disabilities and their companions who provide personal assistance or attention are also not subject to the distance rule. The obligation to maintain meter distance also does not apply to aircraft.
Small concrete rules for popular sports.
As announced, the new “Relaxation Ordinance COVID-19” of the Ministry of Health contains that outdoor sports are fundamentally allowed again. The basic prerequisite is that “by practicing this sport in a manner typical of a sport, a distance of at least two meters can be maintained between all athletes.” Consequently, this distance must also be observed. Otherwise, little is regulated.
Therefore, the task of developing mandatory guidelines and communicating them effectively belongs to the respective sports associations for your sport. Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) announced this when the concept was introduced in mid-April.
What is certain is that the closed areas of the sports facilities can only be entered if this is absolutely necessary for practicing sports in the outdoor area. It was also stipulated that he can only stay in the sports facilities while the sport continues. Using a game of tennis as an example, this means that opponents appear in sportswear and then have to go home immediately, without showering on the premises. There is no obligation to protect the mouth and nose when entering outdoor sports facilities.
Sports Minister Kogler had exemplified tennis, golf, horseback riding, athletics, shooting and sliding as those sports where relaxation should be applied. There is no listing in the regulation, which is valid until June 30. Therefore, all outdoor sports are allowed in which, as mentioned, it is basically possible to maintain a distance of two meters.
