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The number of people infected with corona increased on Friday. With intensive care units also filling up, the government is imposing more restrictions, although these don’t go as far as in spring. Gastronomy, which can no longer receive guests, is particularly affected. The cultural industry is also more or less closed. A night-out restriction is aimed at stopping private parties, which are seen as the drivers of the pandemic.
A new record was set on Friday with 5,627 new infections, especially Upper Austria with more than 1,300 affected cases. For comparison: on Friday of last week there were only 2,571 new infections, in Upper Austria 552. The figures from Friday morning were not an outlier. Very similar values are indicated for Saturday.
This is driving efforts to contain the pandemic. Since Thursday night, draft ordinances have been circulating that are not final, but probably already indicate the direction. As far as gastronomy is concerned, this is limited to home delivery and take away services.
The time you can collect the food will depend on the design of the exit regulations. For the moment, it was planned that from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. it would only be possible to leave the house in exceptional cases. However, he was not entirely sure if there was still room to shorten this phase.
In any case, there is no curfew, as there are numerous exceptions. From family visits to outdoor night sports, much more can be done.
But there is a disappointment for martial artists and others who play sports with physical contact, according to the plans available so far. If they are not competitive athletes, they should take a break. Running, tennis, golf, and the like will probably still be allowed. Swimming, on the other hand, will be difficult, as restrooms and fitness or yoga studios are likely closed.
The same is true in theaters and amusement parks, for example. Zoos, libraries and museums could also be excluded. Sporting events can take place, but without an audience. Of course, none of this is fixed yet. This also applies to the fact that earlier draft ordinances would leave hairdressing and cosmetic studios open.
There is still a discussion on whether the upper level has to switch to distance learning for lockdown. However, in principle, kindergartens and schools will remain open.
This corresponds to a demand made by the workers’ representatives, who on Friday also received their request to return from the telephone sick leave. Otherwise, however, after a discussion with the social partners with the government, the people were reluctant. The head of ÖGB, Wolfgang Katzian, and the president of the Chamber of Labor, Renate Anderl, filed the demand for a legal right to leave for special care for parents. Chamber of Commerce President Harald Mahrer called for swift and bureaucratic redress for industries affected by the shutdown.
Unlike in March, trading should go lightly this time. This time, not only the food trade will be able to stay open, but the entire industry. However, there could be restrictions again, that is, in such a way that each customer must have ten square meters of space, so the queues could form again in front of supermarkets, for example.
Before all of this takes effect, the government has some talks to complete. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will be briefed and videoconferences will be held with state governors and opposition leaders. The fact that the drafts are already circulating among the public once woke up the SPÖ, because he was invited to a “mock discussion”. The FPÖ does not want to go ahead anyway and saw the regulation as “the declaration of bankruptcy of a government”.
The Carinthian Chamber of Commerce and the president of the ÖVP Economic Association, Jürgen Mandl, also expressed their great displeasure on Friday night at the possible plans to close restaurants and hotels by the federal government. Employers would be dissatisfied and the solidarity of business representatives would be strained. “The supposed federal regulation in no way would be a version agreed with all political actors.” Crucial talks within the federal government and with state governors would not take place until Saturday, Mandl recalled. However, if there really were considerations in the direction of a renewed “lockdown” for the restaurant and hospitality industry, it will offer resistance.
A parliamentary approval will probably need one or another measure, that is, by the main committee. That could delay the entry into force a bit. The talk was already on Monday, but also on Tuesday or Wednesday. How long the lock will last is still open. All November is assumed.
Those: APA
