Is there a threat of stricter corona rules because of Delta? Across from “Today” Chancellor Kurz speaks plainly in New York – and gives an outlook on the start of school.
“The virus will not go away. It will keep us busy for years,” says Sebastian Kurz (VP), dampening the hopes of many who want to get by without a vaccination. “Only those who are vaccinated are protected,” said the Chancellor, who is currently in New York during a speech at the UN. In view of the currently rampant Delta variant, it is in one “Today”-Interview (see video) no illusion: “The corona numbers will rise again. Even with us, definitely.”
THEN THE VIRUS ANNOUNCEMENT: “Anyone who is not vaccinated has a very high risk of being infected at some point. If not now, then in autumn or winter.” For the Chancellor, each individual now has the choice: “Vaccination or infection, I share this assessment with experts.”
In short: “The goal is normality”
New infections are increasing rapidly in the Netherlands, Israel and Great Britain. Are we also threatened with delta lockdown? In short: “My goal is to return to normal. The necessary measures to restrict freedom were dramatic, but something that we have never taken lightly.” So new edition excluded? “I think there can only ever be interference with fundamental rights and freedoms when there really is no other option. But with vaccination we have another option. Everyone who is vaccinated is protected,” said the Chancellor recently received the second dose of AstraZeneca himself.
No tightening planned
The vaccination works against all variants – also against Delta. “That is why it is better to get as many people as possible to be vaccinated than to lock everything up again.” He cannot currently imagine a tightening of the corona rules: “To be honest, I would like to live in a state in which I don’t have to tell adults when they have to be at home.” In general, criticism of the easing measures annoys him: “We are not doing it recklessly, but have a strong safety net with the 3G rule that we invented in Austria.”
Video: “Today”-Interview in NY
“Finally life again”
On his first evening in the USA, Kurz (he ate steak, drank Diet Coke and spritzed the dessert) and his delegation visited the Schilling restaurant in Manhattan on Monday night. It belongs to the Austrian Edi Fraunender. There are no longer any corona restrictions in New York. Also no mask requirement in bars. “It’s nice to see that the situation is developing well here too,” said Kurz. It is now possible that “life can finally take place again – both in America and here in Europe”. For the head of government “a development in the right direction”.
Another way in Austria
Unfortunately, many companies in the USA would not have survived the pandemic. “In Austria, we supported the economy, but above all the employees, very intensively through short-time working. This enabled us to save many jobs and keep people in employment.” America has a completely different system here, so Kurz: “But I am glad that we went the way in Austria and that a lot of people have not lost their jobs.”
In short: “I want to live in a country where I don’t have to tell adults when they have to be at home.”
Despite everything, economic reconstruction is now central – that is what his speech at the UN on Wednesday will be about: “We must now see that those who have lost their jobs get back into employment as quickly as possible.” Second topic: “The crisis has shown that we still have a lot of room for improvement when it comes to digitization. We have to improve there, so that’s one of our priorities.”
Home Schooling
The government is also planning the time after the holidays, explains Kurz: “Education Minister Heinz Faßmann is preparing the start of school very well. With the tests, we have the opportunity to ensure that the school is as safe as possible.”
Is there a risk of home schooling again in the colder months of the year? “Of course we aim for face-to-face teaching and will do everything we can to ensure it,” promises the Chancellor.
Last year it was “unfortunately necessary” to “close the schools again and again, but that is not our goal for this autumn. On the contrary: we want the children to be able to go to school normally again”. With tests (three times a week) you have “a very good concept” in the drawer.
Guterres talk and MET visit
On Monday, the VP chief, who will stay in the “Big Apple” until Wednesday, will meet with UN General António Guterres. Afterwards, Kurz visits the Metropolitan Museum of Art run by the Austrian Max Hollein. In the evening he will have a dinner with business representatives.
READ MORE: The NY Chancellor Program >>
