Ludwig: “It’s about your own health”

A longer and more consistent phase would have been more important to him, said Ludwig in the “Vienna Today” conversation about the criticism from experts of the “brevity” of the lockdown. But it was important to find a joint agreement with the federal government as well as Lower Austria and Burgenland. He is confident that with this and with the measures that Vienna has already taken or is currently taking – for example, gargle tests – it will succeed in stabilizing the situation in the hospitals and reducing the number of infections. If this does not succeed, he will implement his earlier announcement and adopt more far-reaching measures.

In order to recognize the need for this, the current development of the pandemic is checked daily with experts in Vienna. Ludwig also referred to the next talks with Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens), which should take place next week. Ludwig also pointed out that the situation could change very quickly. Six weeks ago, Vienna was the only federal state to be switched to orange. But that changed quickly, now it is to be feared that the British mutation of the coronavirus will also affect the more western federal states of Austria after the eastern region.

Mask requirement on Karlsplatz is conceivable

One measure that Vienna could take on its own is, for example, the introduction of a mask requirement in public spaces. Here Ludwig named the Viennese markets as an example, where masks would have to be worn: “Most of them stick to it,” said Ludwig. Above all, it is important that people can see that wearing masks protects themselves and those around them from infections. That is what they are trying to do with the stricter mask requirement for all indoor spaces, which is also conceivable in public spaces.

Restrict personal contacts at Easter

When asked about the corona fatigue of the population and the associated reluctance to support stricter rules, Ludwig countered the effects of the British mutation: This virus is now affecting younger generations, there are very difficult courses in younger people. It is important to convey to the population that an infection can now lead to serious courses with serious health consequences. And that it’s about your own health and that of others.

For Easter, the mayor of Vienna recommended restricting personal contact with family members who did not live in the same household. You can make phone calls, write text messages and more. But it is important to hold out for a few more weeks, “then we will hopefully experience different things again”. The exact visiting rules for Easter should not be worked out together with the Ministry of Health until next week.

Actions too late for experts

It should be a quiet Easter, with all-day exit restrictions and other, meanwhile already known measures. Even Easter services may take place, but without choir singing and with FFP2 masks and distance. “From a virological point of view, it would be good if the lockdown came now and lasted longer. But you also have to look at the other factors. Many have not done their Easter shopping yet, the trade was not prepared, ”said virologist Christina Nicolodi to“ Vienna today ”.

On Tuesday, the exact regulation is to be decided in the main committee of parliament, including some additional measures such as access tests in the trade at least until April 10th. The schools go to distance learning in the week after the Easter break. In addition, an FFP2 mask requirement in closed rooms and stricter entry rules for commuters are to come. Too late, as Gerald Gartlehner, epidemologist at Danube University Krems, emphasized: “I’m afraid there won’t be enough time. Five or six days are not enough to bring the infection rate down. That will surely take several weeks. ”And with foresight it would certainly be wise to bring the whole of Austria into an Easter lockdown.

For other experts, too, the measures come too late. Most of the corona cases have been registered among children and adolescents for a few weeks. After all, many are now recognized. According to the recently published Gurgel study by the University of Vienna, the number of unreported cases in schools is low. Here, too, the prescribed Easter rest should help reduce infections. Here, for example, the molecular biologist at the University of Vienna, Michael Wagner, emphasized that schools always make a significant contribution to the infection process. If you go into lockdown with such high numbers, you can’t get past schools.

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