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All signs point to the extent of the blockade
© WHAT
After intensive consultations with countries, experts and social partners, the government announced on Sunday its decision on the new measures to be taken against the corona pandemic. The APA learned from negotiating circles that the “hard” lockdown will continue until February 7. In view of the most contagious virus mutation that has now also been identified in Austria, experts have urgently warned that restrictions be relaxed.
Therefore, the current “hard” lockdown will be extended for two weeks and schools, contrary to what has been announced, will remain in distance learning until the semester break. On February 8, schools in Vienna and Lower Austria (in the other countries only holidays start), retail and body-friendly service providers and museums should be able to open, with FFP2 masks and the two-meter rule . The gastronomy, the hotels and the organizers have to be patient at least until the end of February; The situation will be reassessed in mid-February.
Details will be available at the government press conference, which will air live on an ORF special starting at 11 am .; The press hour with the Minister of Education, Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP) was canceled.
The current closures started – initially still “light” – on November 3, after two changes, the “hard” version has been in effect since December 26 with 24-hour exit restrictions, closed shops, service providers, restaurants , hotels, cultural and sports activities. as well as distance learning.
The fact that there is no relaxation as soon as recently expected is due to new mutations in the virus. Experts summoned by the government consider them much more dangerous due to the much higher infectivity, and advocated the continuation of strict measures to buy more time for protection through vaccines. Cases that have already been confirmed in Styria and early test results from a random sample from Vienna supported the assumption that the mutation is already spreading across the country.
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