Index – Abroad – OrbánLabz: How is Austria softer and how hard?

Strictly speaking, according to the figures, it is not certain that Austria is the example to follow for Hungary. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced Monday morning that Hungary would follow Austria in a week or two in terms of the course of the epidemic, and consequently the government would introduce measures similar to the Austrian model.

Vienna has tightened epidemiological restrictions since Tuesday last week. The local press has been monitoring the statistics ever since, and so far neither the number of illnesses nor the number of deaths are very encouraging. In the past six days, the number of illnesses has increased by almost 35,000, and 1,411 people have died from the virus in Austria so far.

Of course, it would be unfair to judge the effects of the epidemiological restrictions so early, but the Vienna government is not satisfied with the results so far. Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said on Saturday

Anschober also spoke about if the epidemic situation does not improve, the Austrian health system will reach the upper limit of its performance. The situation is particularly bad in Upper Austria, where care for patients with severe symptoms is already a problem. Therefore, the minister asked the public to help cut the number of face-to-face meetings by half, maintain the required minimum distance and pay special attention to wearing a mask. He was also urged by the Stop -Corona-App, an application that supports contact search.

The Austrian minister has previously asked the public to install the software. He said 60 percent of the population would need to install the app for it to be effective. be .

Who hardened it better?

The Hungarian government has taken over a number of elements of the Austrian restrictions. According to the Austrian government information portal, the following restrictions are currently in force in Austria:

• Mandatory distance and use of mask. At the moment, the Austrian rules are stricter than the Hungarian restrictions. In Austria, in public spaces, the of those living in other households a distance of one meter is mandatory. As in Hungary, the use of masks is mandatory indoors (with some exceptions).
• Public transport. The restrictions in this area are in line with the rules already introduced in Hungary. The mask is mandatory in vehicles and at stops, and the same applies to taxis. In principle, the minimum distance is also mandatory, but the Austrian information portal also notes that certain circumstances can override this.
• Curfew restrictions. Here, too, the Austrian “laboratory concept” appears; True, our western neighbor is a bit more strict. In Austria it is not possible to go outside between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., but there are many exceptions, from an emergency to the purchase of basic food.

• Hospitality and Tourism. Restaurants are not welcome in Austria either. An exception to this are the canteens in the social sector. The hotels are closed, not only foreign guests, but also Austrians cannot stay, unless guests are staying for work or study.
• Massive events. The concept of a fifty person frame used in Hungary at various events also comes from our western neighbor. Vienna, however, is somewhat more forgiving of professional sporting events. Indoor sporting events can be held for up to 50 people, outdoor events so matches can be held for up to a hundred people, whereas in Hungary only closed goalkeeper matches will be held.
• Bolt lock. Austrian stores may be open, but limit the number of customers allowed per person per ten square meters. Hairdressers and beauticians can also continue their activities.
• Working. The Vienna government is much more supportive of working from home. With some exceptions, all public employees work in home offices, but the government also encourages the corporate sector to introduce work from home. A distance of at least one meter must be guaranteed in the offices.
• Education. Kindergartens in Austria are open and lower secondary students also visit. However, high schools, professional high schools and institutions of higher education have already switched to digital education.
• Health care. Hospitals and social institutions have well thought out Austrian rules. Workers in the sector are constantly evaluated, can only work with a negative PCR test and are also provided with the necessary protective equipment. Patient visits are not prohibited but restricted. Family members can also visit family members with a negative test and with protective equipment.
• Sports and other recreational activities. Gyms were also not pardoned in Vienna, but all indoor sports facilities were also closed. At the same time, you can train outdoors with a minimum distance of one meter, and the parks are also open. All cultural institutions were closed except libraries.

The opposition is attacking

The Austrian government may tighten these rules if they do not show a dramatic improvement in epidemiological statistics as soon as possible. In addition to the figures, the Hungarian government should also pay attention to the opposition in Vienna. Immediately after the announcement of the restrictions, the government came under great pressure, calling the rules visual measures. This narrative is also represented by the SPÖ, the Austrian Social Democratic Party.

The government must immediately stop shooting blind in crisis management against the epidemic

– declared the president of the SPÖ over the weekend, Pamela Rendi-Wagner. The former doctor of health with a doctoral degree responded to the statistics: primarily objecting to the authorities’ contact investigation. As he said, not a quarter of the cases can be solved by the federal government and, from now on, “all measures can only be fire fighting.”

Therefore, Rendi-Wagner calls for the creation of a commission of inquiry. As you said, an independent professional body must judge how effective the government’s restrictive measures are.

(Cover image: PCR test performed by a healthcare worker in Vienna on October 30, 2020. Photo: Leonhard Foeger / Reuters)