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Coronavirus
Starting Friday, there will be even more space in Austrian stadiums and sports halls than there already is. In response to the growing number of coronavirus infections, the federal government further restricted the number of viewers on Monday. For outdoor events, such as soccer games, the number of visitors was halved from 3,000 to a maximum of 1,500.
The number is also being reduced for indoor events, but not so dramatically. Instead of the 1,500 previous visitors, a maximum of 1,000 spectators is now allowed in the stands for ice hockey games. What is the same inside and outside: All visitors must sit in their assigned seats. The on-site offering will be spartan – food and drink will no longer be served, and a mask requirement will apply for the entire duration of the event, including in the allocated space.
The football clubs of the typical-Bundesliga and the clubs of the ICE Hockey League bet at home are particularly affected by the further reduction in the number of spectators in this country. Plans for the tennis tournament at the Wiener Stadthalle, the Erste Bank Open, which will take place this weekend, will also be thrown immediately overboard.
The adjustment does not yet affect the Champions League game between Salzburg and Lok Moscow on Wednesday in Wals-Siezenheim, and the Europa League game between Rapid Vienna and Arsenal on Thursday in Hütteldorf. Salzburg’s big highlight in the premier class, the home game against record champion Germany and defending champion Bayern Munich, takes place on November 3 in front of a maximum of 1,500 fans, as is often the case against almost 30,000.
“Business as usual” with fans
In the fan arena, business as usual should be applied for the time being when it comes to sports, even if the number of coronavirus cases increases. The number of participants required for the sport is allowed, around eleven plus eleven on the soccer field, plus reserve players and necessary personnel (coaches, supervisors, referees, etc.). “Active sport must continue to be defended,” stressed responsible sports minister and vice chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens).
The same also applies to professional sporting events with a corresponding prevention concept. Here, up to 100 athletes are allowed indoors and up to 200 outdoors, plus the coaches, supervisors and other people required for the implementation of the event.
