Anschober: No “free trials” possible from crash

The SPÖ, FPÖ and Neos oppose the government’s plans to prematurely end the lockdown for those being evaluated. Commerce, gastronomy and tourism will probably only open on January 24.

The third hard block in Austria will probably last a week. The People’s Party and the Greens are abstaining from their plan to allow a “free choice,” as it emerged from government circles Monday night. The reason for this step, still unofficial: the opposition blockade announced on Sunday. This means that commerce, gastronomy, tourism and probably also schools will not open until January 24.

Late on Monday morning, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens) and ÖVP club president August Wöginger confirmed the end of “free time”. “The opposition has become concrete,” Wöginger said. That was amazing, especially from the SPÖ, but obviously the National Council Club had given in to pressure from the federal states. , the opening week of January 18 cannot go as planned. Now we are trying to continue after January 24, “said the president of the ÖVP club. When asked if the schools also remain closed, Wöginger replies:” Yes, the lockdown is the lockdown. “

It was originally planned that those who are tested for the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen could gain benefits a week earlier, such as attending cultural and sporting events or buying goods that are not needed every day. like clothes or books. Additionally, personal service providers such as hairdressers should be able to receive clients again on January 17, and schools should begin teaching in the classroom.

Parliament’s website crashed

A corresponding amendment, which would have made it possible more freely, was sent for a three-day review shortly before the turn of the year, until yesterday Sunday. A procedure that caused discontent among the opposition parties and many citizens who wanted to comment on the law – and they did. However, due to the crowd, more than 3000 statements were sent on Sunday night alone, Parliament’s website crashed for a while.

“At present, thousands of citizens cannot have a say in the evaluation process of the new Corona laws due to the inadequate capacity of the servants of the parliament,” criticized the head of the club FPÖ Herbert Kickl (FPÖ). The Neos also objected to the turquoise green practice: “This wave of public outcry shows that the Health Minister must fundamentally review the law and ensure a proper evaluation,” wrote deputy party leader Nikolaus Scherak in a broadcast.

On Sunday, the criticism grew even louder, with the three opposition parties finally not only announcing (constitutional) concerns, but also refusing to pass the law. This could mean that the bill could pass in the National Council, but the Federal Council would suspend it for about two months due to the narrow majority of the SPÖ, FPÖ and Neos (31:30 votes).

Virologist: “It may look different the next day”

Experts also viewed the concept of Friday’s test critically, as virologist Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stöckl of the Medical University of Vienna explained Sunday in “ZiB 2”. From a virological point of view, you basically have a problem with the term “free test”: For the individual, an antigen test means that he is negative on the day he received the negative test result. “The next day it can look completely different,” he emphasized.

The government probably wanted to combine the next second round of massive tests with a reward, she tried to explain the idea of ​​free tests, but security for several days does not guarantee such a result. Immediately before an event, an antigen test would make sense, “because the person who tested negative is unlikely to be a super spreader. But you can’t say that for several days. “

(APA / Red.)