Corona: Austria tightened measures

Florian Tiefenböck studied human medicine at the LMU Munich. In March 2014, he joined as a student and has supported the editorial team with medical articles ever since. After receiving his medical license and practical work in internal medicine at the University Hospital Augsburg, he has been a permanent member of the team since December 2019 and, among other things, ensures the medical quality of the tools.

More posts by Florian Tiefenböck All content is checked by medical journalists.

In view of numerous travel warnings, many German vacationers are drawn to neighboring Austria. But even there, the number of infections is increasing significantly in some cases. Austria is now drawing the consequences and expanding its measures to protect against the corona virus.

Stricter mask requirement

From Monday onwards, mouth and nose protection must be worn in all shops without exception, as the government announced on Friday. This also applies to employees in bars. In addition, food and drinks in indoor areas may only be served at seats. A mouth and nose cover is also worn on the way to the table or to the toilet. In addition, the mask requirement continues to apply in public transport.

There are also new rules in the event area: At events outside, only 3,000 visitors are allowed instead of the current 10,000. Inside, only 1,500 instead of 5,000 guests are allowed, and only 50 guests without assigned seats. Children are required to wear a mask outside of their classroom at school.

Sharpen if necessary

“I know many don't believe it yet, but it's getting serious again. The numbers have risen steadily over the past few weeks, ”said Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Friday. “In other countries we have seen how quickly it can go.” Kurz announced that the measures would be sharpened if necessary.

"We want to get through the winter reasonably well," Kurz continued. The new measures should come into force on Monday at midnight and apply until "the federal government sees the need to tighten them or to withdraw them again." The government is assuming that the regulations will last throughout the winter "and possibly beyond."

Corona traffic light increasingly yellow

On Friday, 580 new cases were reported in Austria, the day before there were 664. Two weeks ago, the number of new infections every day was about half as high. Almost 5,000 people are considered sick, more than half of them in Vienna. The Corona traffic light introduced last week rates most regions away from the metropolitan areas with the lowest level of green. Criteria are also the occupancy rate of hospitals and the number of tests.

On Friday, the infection light was turned to yellow in seven Austrian regions. Accordingly, there is a medium risk of contracting Sars-CoV-2 in Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck (city), Wiener Neustadt (Lower Austria) and the districts of Korneuburg, Kufstein and Schwaz in Tyrol. (ft / dpa)

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