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ISCHGL, PAZNAUN (otko). Postponement: The first day of skiing in Ischgl will take place on December 17, 2020. TVB Paznaun-Ischgl and Silvrettaseilbahn AG speak out against an early start to the season. Galtür, Kappl and See ski areas open on December 18.
The start of the season on November 26 is not possible
At the general assembly of the Paznaun-Ischgl Tourism Association on November 4 at the Silvrettacenter, the current crisis was also discussed. At the Anything point, the audience asked if the start of the season scheduled for November 26 is possible in light of the lockdown and travel warnings. Due to the Covid-19 Protection Measures Ordinance valid until November 30 in Austria, restaurants and hotels, among others, cannot receive guests.
“The cable cars and the TVB had an internal meeting today, but we didn’t make it easy for us. The first day of skiing in Ischgl will be December 17, 2020. This date can only be kept if the authorities also do so. to unlock, “reported TVB President Alexander von der Thannen. Also in Galtür, the first day of skiing will be postponed for two weeks. Along with the mountain railways in Kappl and See, the Silvapark opens on December 18.
Need a certain delivery time
Markus Walser, CEO of Silvrettaseilbahn AG, recalled again that due to the closure, the operation of the cable car in the ski areas was prohibited until November 30. “We did not make the easy decision. A mandatory start on the first weekend of December is not possible, as we also have to take preparatory measures. From the point of view of Silvrettaseilbahn AG, it is impossible to start operations in three days”, Walser emphasized. There are currently 192 people employed, but an additional 80-100 employees are needed for a limited operation in the restaurant sector.
According to Walser, there are currently no crown restrictions in Switzerland. The Samnaun Mountain Railways open the ski area on December 11. “However, together with Samnaun we would have advocated a joint opening of the Silvretta Arena. The biggest problem for us, however, remains the travel warnings from the main tourist markets. Austria is still classified as a risk zone there,” the cable car board said.
A complete package of measures was developed together with the other ropeway companies in Paznaun and Samnaun. In recent weeks alone, Silvrettaseilbahn AG has invested around € 700,000 in additional health and safety standards, such as a newly developed camera system to verify that distance is maintained in the waiting areas of the three feeder elevators. In the next season, Silvrettaseilbahn AG will use cold fogging devices for regular disinfection. The new standards also include the free delivery of a tube scarf that can be used as mouth and nose protection when purchasing a ski ticket, as well as a comprehensive signage and information concept.
Against abrupt unlocking
TVB president von der Thannen is also against a hasty opening and an abrupt start to the season. “We have around 3,800 employees in the valley who need to undergo tests before contacting guests. At the moment, it is also not predictable whether employees from Eastern Europe will be able to come. Currently, for example, the Czech Republic bans its citizens Get out. Deadlines are required. And planning is also important. We want to act as a closed valley and therefore December 17 is the realistic day for unlocking. “
In this context, the president of TVB also referred to the summer of this year without a cluster, where the measures taken have taken effect. Currently there are only a few cases of corona in the valley. “We will do our best to ensure that guests feel at home with us. This also means that we, as hosts, have to exemplify the measures and work together.” In any case, TVB officials and cable car users assume that the recently prescribed strict measures will lead to a rapid decline in active cases and that this may be the basis for lifting travel warnings. “If the travel warnings remain, we will open anyway. We want to set an example for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Of course, we cannot make a forecast on whether it will be economical,” von der Thannen emphasized in conclusion.
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