The Austrian ski areas open during the Christmas holidays, but for the vast majority of foreigners it becomes impossible to ski in Austria. This is the result of measures that Chancellor Kurz announced today.
Of all the Alpine countries, only Switzerland wants to give foreign skiers more or less free rein, despite pressure from Germany, France and Italy to close the ski areas. The Dutch can therefore still go skiing there, but must be quarantined for ten days when they return.
Last week, Austria fiercely opposed a ski ban, but Kurz still met the other European countries. He announced that the ski resorts will open on December 24, but that restaurants, hotels and other tourist accommodations will remain closed until January 7.
Quarantine
In addition, foreigners from countries with more than 100 infections per 100,000 inhabitants must be quarantined for ten days after arriving in Austria. This applies to almost all European countries, including the Netherlands, Germany and France.
In practice, this means that almost only Austrians can go skiing during Christmas. Kurz emphasized that skiing itself does not pose a risk of contamination. “It is an individual sport that is done in the open air.”
The German health minister says he is happy with Austria’s new rules. Italy, Germany and France are keeping the ski areas closed or almost closed for the time being. In France they are allowed to open during Christmas, but the ski lifts remain closed.
Switzerland is resisting
Switzerland continues to resist pressure from neighboring countries. Health minister Alain Berset only wants to limit the capacity of the ski lifts somewhat. The Swiss also emphasize that skiing is not dangerous. “It’s about what comes next, après-ski. And here we have taken extremely strict measures to limit the risks.”
These measures differ per canton in Switzerland. Often they boil down to restaurants and bars allowing limited numbers of people or closing early.
Last week, the Swiss ski resort Glacier 3000 proudly showed the corona-proof skiing:
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