Austria is reacting to the rapid spread of the Omikron variant of the coronavirus with new restrictions and shorter quarantine periods. In the future, an FFP2 mask will have to be worn outdoors if a two-meter distance cannot be maintained, as Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced in Vienna on Thursday. This applies, for example, to pedestrian zones and queues. In addition, retailers and restaurants are obliged to carry out controls so that the 2G rule – i.e. admission only for vaccinated and convalescent – is complied with.
“The trade is clearly not a driver of infection: this is borne out by all the available data. At the same time, however, we support the consistent fight against the corona pandemic, because we do not want to experience another lockdown for the Austrian economy. That must now be the top priority, ”said Rainer Trefelik, chairman of the federal trade division in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ). “Domestic retail is extremely diverse: the controls of the 2G certificates must be moderate and practicable, and in fact in all sizes and forms of business, from small boutiques to large shopping centers.”
Sharp increase in new infections
In order not to endanger the infrastructure, contact persons of infected people can in future be freed from quarantine after the fifth day. With daily tests and wearing an FFP2 mask, employees in the critical infrastructure should also be able to continue working as contact persons. The situation is very serious, said Nehammer. With a joint effort, however, a new lockdown can be prevented. According to the information, the so-called green passport as proof of vaccination will only be valid for six months from February.
The number of new infections is skyrocketing in Austria. According to the authorities on Thursday, 8,853 people were infected with the virus within 24 hours. Taking into account the number of inhabitants, that would be around 80,000 cases in Germany.
Debate about compulsory vaccination continues
Meanwhile, the debate about mandatory vaccination in Austria continues. Legally, the plan is now on shaky feet due to the Omikron variant, said constitutional lawyer Heinz Mayer on Thursday the German Press Agency. The variant is also more contagious for vaccinated people and they could spread the virus as well. “If the vaccination does not adequately protect the health system, then compulsory vaccination is not permitted.” Instead of introducing the mandatory vaccination on February 1, it could be more appropriate by law to give the health minister the opportunity to order such a step at any time, said Mayer.
From the government’s point of view, vaccination remains the decisive and extremely effective antidote to slow the spread of the coronavirus. He is therefore sticking to the plan of compulsory vaccination, said Nehammer.
With this step, the Austrian government wants to push the more than one million people without vaccination to inject. Substantial fines of up to 3600 euros are provided for violations. With the exception of the right-wing FPÖ, all parliamentary parties have approved the project. Around 70 percent of Austrians are currently vaccinated. Recently, however, the willingness to vaccinate has decreased significantly. (dpa)