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The opposition after the videoconference with the government.
© WHAT / HELMUT FOHRINGER
In view of the increasing number of infections, a relaxation of corona measures is not to be expected, but an expansion of the tests and perhaps also the requirement of the mask. This became clear even before the government’s decision in the videoconference with experts and the opposition.
The SPÖ was confirmed in the rejection of the opening, the FPÖ and NEOS stressed that the measures only make sense if the citizens accept them.
SPÖ against opening steps
The head of SPÖ, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, has already rejected other opening steps over the weekend, because if the number of infections continues to rise, intensive care units will reach their capacity limit in two to three weeks. This was confirmed by all the experts in today’s videoconference, according to a written statement.
Regional openings or closings were also discussed. However, government representatives and experts have determined that the closure of Vienna or other metropolitan areas is not feasible, FPÖ chief Norbert Hofer reported in a broadcast.
Demand for massive tests and “contact tracing”
Instead, they want to rely more and more on mass testing and “contact tracing”, which was an occasion for Hofer to speak out once again against a “direct” test obligation. Instead, he demanded recognition of home tests and a “turbo” on vaccination with clear prioritization rules. The FPÖ chief received rejections for his demands for easier entry (without quarantine) from countries with fewer cases or air purification devices for school classes.
Hofer cautions about “permanent locking loops”
Hofer once again turned against a “permanent loop of lockdowns”, which would no longer be supported by the population, and called for an end to the “no-contact strategy for the gastronomy and the hotel industry, as well as for the cultural sector. “. What caught his attention at today’s summit was that neither Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler nor Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (both Greens) had spoken for the government, only Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP).
NEOS for exams and open schools
NEOS chief Beate Meinl-Reisinger sees the testing expansion as an important key to fighting the corona pandemic and, as she requested at a morning press conference, the possibility of keeping schools open. If you expand the evidence, school closures are “avoidable” despite the infection situation there.
“The tests have a moderating effect on the development of the number of infections. Therefore, they must be scaled up, offered at a low threshold level and, above all, configured in such a way that as many different groups of the population as possible use them regularly. “was his conclusion after the videoconference.
She proposed a call for testing before Easter break and advocated offering PCR gargle testing (also for family members) in schools. Along with monitoring and isolating work contacts, this could provide more security. And the government must pay close attention to how it can persuade citizens to comply, but the “rhetoric of fear” would be the wrong way to go.
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