Vienna decides on corona strategy | Abroad

Austria – In Austria, the government will consult with experts and the Prime Minister on Monday about the further corona strategy.

The original plan of the coalition of the conservative ÖVP and the Greens to open at least the outdoor catering nationwide at Easter seems to be off the table because of the significantly increased number of infections. Rather, regionally different measures could be implemented depending on the infection situation.

Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens) only pointed out the worsening situation, especially in the intensive care units in the eastern federal states, on Sunday. The more contagious British virus variant is responsible for 95 percent of all new infections there. Anschober therefore wants “regional emergency brakes”.

The situation is very different from region to region. The situation in the westernmost state of Vorarlberg, where the gastronomy has been open again for a week, is comparatively relaxed. The seven-day incidence there is only 62. Across Austria, the value is 235; in Germany, around 104 people per 100,000 inhabitants recently contracted the virus within seven days.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) defended the opening of all shops six weeks ago, accompanied by a comprehensive test concept. The number of infections would increase linearly, but not exponentially. In addition, this step gave the economy important impetus.

The Austrian test offensive is still gaining momentum. For example, a third test run within a week has recently been held in schools on Fridays. The government announced that this would increase the number of corona tests to almost four million per week. A total of almost nine million people live in Austria. Around 1,500 companies with around 730,000 employees also took part in the tests, it said.

“The tests enable us to control the infection process as best we can,” said Chancellor Kurz. The wide range of tests is also a basis for the so-called Green Pass, with which those tested should be given more freedom for a certain period of time from April.

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