[ad_1]
Kurz also addressed those who think that the elderly, the risk groups, should be locked up so that the young can live normally. Apart from the fact that this would not work in practice, the Chancellor emphasized: “We do not want to be such a society” – and again called for cohesion.
When asked when this will all end, Kurz sticks to his prognosis: He assumes that there will be a vaccine soon and that normal life will be possible by the summer of 2021. “We have a very difficult time ahead of us,” he said. And: “We can, we must and we will survive this time together.”
With his video message, the Chancellor agreed to the nationwide tightening, which will be discussed in a video conference with state governors on Monday. In essence, as already indicated, it should be about restrictions on social life.
The measures that individual countries have already taken could be extended to all of Austria. The West is seen here as a role model. The KURIER offers an overview of what is possible:
1. Previous curfew on restoration
Three weeks ago, the three western federal states of Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg moved the curfew at 10 pm The success of this measure is questionable: Salzburg and Tyrol are currently the countries with the highest number of new infections in relation to their population .
The opposition maintains that the party is moving to the private sphere. Even the governor of Salzburg, Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP), recently said about the Hallein district: “The private sector is greatly affected.”
However: the curfew could be set throughout Austria; the target is reportedly after 11 pm Of course, the Länder can set an earlier one. It is not clear if this only applies to the restaurant industry or the hotel industry as well. In Salzburg and Vorarlberg, hotel guests can sit in hotel bars until 1 a.m.
2. Obligation of registration for guests in restaurants
In September, Vienna was the first federal state to introduce mandatory registration, as a counter-model to the previous curfew. In Lower Austria, mandatory registration in districts with an orange traffic light has been in place for two weeks. Before the weekend, Salzburg and Tirol did the same, in addition to the previous curfew. Upper Austria follows Tuesday.
It is said that there is still very little experience on how useful the registry really is for tracking contacts. Therefore, it is questionable whether a nationwide specification is really necessary at this time.
3. Fixed seat only events
Salzburg and Tyrol have also greatly restricted the range of events. Only registered seating events are allowed, for a maximum of 250 people (except with special permission).
Salzburg has also banned private parties in basements, garages and barns and wants more control. Funerals are only allowed in Salzburg and Tyrol with a maximum of 100 participants. In Lower Austria, strict maximum numbers only apply when the traffic light is orange.
Nationwide, the number of visitors to events will now be greatly reduced. Details are still being negotiated. For the cultural sector, the number of visitors is decisive whether the businesses remain open or not.
4. No more services at events
What the federal government should also learn from Salzburg and Tyrol is a ban on participating in events. When food and drinks are sold, especially at sporting events, queues and groups of people form; a ban would make sense, according to negotiators.
5. Mouth and nose should be completely covered
The ban on face guards, especially the much criticized chin guards, has been in the room for a long time. It is now considered a must to completely cover your mouth and nose, and only a mask can do it.
The mask requirement could also be extended to parts of public space where there are a lot of people.
Looking for a common line
And what is the mood like before the meeting? Chancellor Kurz called representatives from the federal states on Sunday to “investigate,” they say. You fight for a common line.
The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, will participate with the reinforcement of the Councilor for Health Peter Hacker (both SPÖ). Both are against the previous curfew and argue that it has done little in the West so far.
In Carinthia, where the number of infections relative to population is currently lower (and so is the need for tightening), people continue to insist on “specific regional measures”. However, the rules will be supported at the national level, as long as analyzes show they are necessary, according to the office of Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ).
