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What’s next as of February 8? Trade opens with stricter rules, primary schools are fully operational, other grade levels will resume operations in shifts, including regular tests. There is minimal relaxation in private gatherings. With live broadcast.
In fact, the federal government wanted to inform the public on Monday afternoon. But it was not so easy to agree on how to proceed with the closing of next week. The press conference was postponed several times. It was a tough fight for gentle relaxation. In the end, it became clear: schools and retailers had to open. However, if Covid measures are violated, there will be more severe penalties. The Minister of Health reported on changes related to childbirth in the vaccination schedule.
The live broadcast of the press conference:
A summary of the measures or changes announced by the government:
Lessons at school
The call for openness in the school area was particularly strong. He is listened to. In schools, things start over after the semester break. On-site lessons start in Vienna and Lower Austria as (last) planned on February 8. In the other federal states a week later.
However, it comes back regular lessons only for elementary school students back. You will be taught normally according to the schedule. At The lower and upper grades are different. There is a new version of turn-based operation. The classes are divided into two groups (A and B). Group A visits the school on Mondays and Tuesdays, Group B on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Friday is for everyone to take distance learning at home. Due to shift operation, there will still be no on-site lessons for students three days a week. Therefore, care must remain. The education minister will present details on Tuesday.
The plan to introduce alternate daily shifts has apparently been rejected. That would not have been consistent with the proof concept.
Crown test at school
In the future, you will have to “clean” yourself in the classroom. Only those students who can show a negative corona test can sit there. The Ministry of Education has made a 180 degree turn here. Because until now the minister has relied on voluntary tests when conducting tests. “We do not make a carrot or a stick,” said Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP) on January 9. Now the whip is obviously shaking.
Mondays and Wednesdays must be tried. For this, the antero-nasal tests ordered by the Ministry of Education are used. In these “nasal burr tests,” the smear should only be taken from the front nasal area. Parents should do this at home for elementary school students.. Those were the plans of the Ministry. The idea was rejected. Because checking if the test has been done at home is complicated. Therefore, the smears should now be taken in class with the help of the teacher. Parents must consent to children under 14 years of age.
Students who do not take the crown test cannot attend school. This is provided in elementary, middle, and lower secondary schools. There will be “assisted home enrollment” here. Parents should continue to study with children at home. However, a teacher must be available as a contact person. This is regulated differently in the high school area. Teens who refuse to take the test can attend face-to-face classes with an FFP2 mask.
Business and body hugging service providers
When the school opens, does it open by itself? This issue was debated for a long time on Monday. Beginning February 8, body hugging service providers (such as hair salons) and stores can reopen. With strict guidelines: there is one in retail FFP2 mask requirement. Also, it’s just one client for every 20 square meters Approved area. Body hugging services can be performed with a Test no more than 48 hoursto be used again.
Gastronomy, tourism
Two weeks ago, the government lowered expectations: restaurants, tourist businesses and cultural sites will be closed for the entire month of February. Only in the middle of the month could one talk about the first initial steps from March, if at all. The government confirmed these plans on Monday.
Entry and penalties
the Entry requirementswhich are in force in Austria from December 19, will be further toughened. Landing bans were discussed for countries with a particularly high incidence. Also, premature “free trials” of quarantine may no longer be possible. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) will present the details on Tuesday. Currently, people coming from abroad must be quarantined for ten days. After five days a “free trial” is allowed. Online registration before arrival is also mandatory from January 15th. There are some exceptions.
furthermore, the Organstrafmandate in case of violations against the crown the measures are increased. Here too, details will be sent later.
Exit restrictions, museums, private meetings.
Exit restrictions (with known exceptions) remain between 10 pm and 6 am During the day, these restrictions appear to be lifted. Museums, galleries and zoos will soon open with the same restrictions as in retail. There has been a minimal change in the requirements for private meetings: two households can meet again in the future, a maximum of four adults.
Revaluation in two weeks
On February 15, the government plans to reassess the situation with experts, governors and the opposition, as it is today. Possible opportunities for sport and culture should also be discussed, whenever the number of infections allows.
The blockade had had an effect on Austria, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) said in his introduction. That is the good news. But there is also a bad one: “Mutations are spreading, especially the British, but also the South African variant.” These would “devour” the success of the closure. You are in a “lateral movement” of the numbers. Therefore, one can “only take very careful initial steps.” These should also be implemented with massive security and accompaniment measures.
The federal chancellor ended his remarks with a call to also follow the crown’s rules in private. “Especially social contacts” should be avoided so that there is a chance that these cautious initial steps can last. “Please don’t understand this selective easing as a clean whole.” If the numbers increase, the government would have to tighten the measures again.
