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Austria runs the risk that Italy, Germany and France will try to prevent new cases such as the one involving one of the most famous Austrian ski resorts. Ischgl, which became a kind of European Covid maxi-outbreak during the first wave. If Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has clearly said that he wants EU coordination to avoid the rush to ski resorts during the Christmas holidays, supported in this by important political figures in Berlin and Paris, the Vienna government does not seem to want to hear reasons: there is no stop for tourists in the snow. And if Brussels imposes it, it will have to compensate the affected plants and sectors.
Austria’s “no”
Position expressed by two Austrian ministers, that of Finance Gernot Bluemel and the Minister of Tourism Elisabeth koestinger: “I cannot agree with the Italian initiative. In Austria there will surely be winter tourism,” Koestinger was quoted as saying by Apa agency. Our tour operators will be based on an extensive security protocol, après ski, for example, will not be allowed ”.
The responsibility for infections, according to the Minister of Tourism, should not be attributed exclusively to tourism and public establishments. And if Brussels were to impose a ski ban, then compensation should be guaranteed for an industry that employs 700,000 people, Koestinger said. Finance Minister Bluemel hypothesizes that a stop would weigh around 2 billion euros and has therefore proposed direct funds that the State could redistribute to interested companies or a reduction in the contribution that Austria pays to the EU.
Bavaria agrees with Conte
Austria’s no to the coordination proposal to keep the plants closed remains isolated for now. Bavaria, one of Germany’s most influential landers, has come out in favor of closing ski lifts across Europe. “If we want to keep the borders open, we also need a clear agreement on skiing,” said the Governor of Bavaria. Markus Soeder on the sidelines of a session of the regional parliament in Munich, according to Spiegel Online. Otherwise, he continues, “if someone is going to ski in risk areas, they must undergo a 10-day quarantine. However, I would prefer a shared understanding at the European level.”
France is waiting, so is the EU
The position of the French prime minister is less clear Jean castex, who announced a decision in 10 days: “Taking into account the preparation time necessary to allow a possible opening for the end of the year holidays, a decision will be made in the next ten days that will be based on the evolution of the situation of health and ensuring to be as consistent as possible with our neighboring countries, “said Castex in a note.
The European Commission has also been waiting for it, called once again to seek the coordination that was lacking in summer due to the crossed vetoes of the Member States. Eric MamerPresident Ursula von der Leyen’s spokeswoman said that the closure of ski resorts in the EU “was not an item on the agenda” of today’s meeting of the College of Commissioners “and even less has been discussed”.
In Poland, plants reopen
Meanwhile, the Poland announced the upcoming reopening of its facilities, specifying that access will be reserved only for local tourists. In Sweden me Finland, other countries recognized for their post offices, the facilities have never been closed. As one of the “snow giants”, the Switzerland. Or like him Spain, which announced that it was ready to restart tourism in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada
