Austria lifts almost all corona restrictions from March 5th. From this point on, the government announced on Wednesday in Vienna that masks would only be compulsory in certain areas. Events will then be possible again without restrictions, the curfew will fall and night gastronomy will be allowed. “We have not yet overcome the pandemic,” warned Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP). But given the stable situation in the clinics, these opening steps are now possible. At the same time, Austria will change its strategy for free mass tests. According to the authorities, the tests, which are free for citizens, had previously cost 2.6 billion euros in tax money.
Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) said that the 3G rule should apply again instead of the 2G rule in gastronomy, at events, in cable cars and in sports facilities from February 19th. Entry will also be made significantly easier with the 3G rule that will then apply for those who have been vaccinated, those who have recovered and those who have been tested. The current infection process enables “a worthy spring awakening from a habitual crisis mode,” said Mückstein. However, the situation could get worse again in autumn, the minister warned. Therefore, the summer must be used for vaccination. The vaccination requirement is not up for grabs, the minister said. The rate of those with basic protection, which usually requires two injections, is currently 70 percent.
With a seven-day incidence of around 2,500 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, Austria has a significantly higher value than Germany. The government’s originally announced multi-billion vaccination fleet to boost vaccination readiness was canceled again due to organizational difficulties. (dpa)