“The best motivation is education,” said Health Minister Wolfgang Mckstein (Greens) on Wednesday after the Council of Ministers. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (VP) was also skeptical as to whether it was right to pay people for the vaccination.
- Press foyer after the Council of Ministers: Statement by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (VP)
As the head of government emphasized in the press foyer, a large number of low-threshold and free offers are funded by the taxpayer anyway, from free tests to vaccinations, for which nothing is paid. Local creative ideas on how to motivate people, such as recently with immunization when visiting a pub in an Upper Austrian district, are supported.
- Press foyer after the Council of Ministers: Statement by Health Minister Wolfgang Mckstein
The government is confident that the further easing that begins on Thursday is justifiable. “As of July 1st, we can finally take further opening steps with a clear conscience,” explained Kurz. Mckstein assured that the public’s concerns about the more contagious Delta variant are being taken seriously. What the government is stipulating are only minimum standards. Countries could always impose stricter measures.
3G rule remains important
“Of course” the numbers would “someday” start to rise again, Kurz conceded. However, this will “hopefully” not lead to overburdening of the hospitals, the Chancellor referred to the high vaccination rate among the elderly. “It will be a safe autumn,” said Mckstein confidently, but appealed at the same time to adhere to the 3G rules.
In any case, enough vaccine will be available, also since a refreshment will not be necessary until October at the earliest, as the Minister of Health explained. “The vaccine is no longer a scarce commodity,” emphasized the Chancellor. According to Mckstein, a million first stitches can be performed in the next two weeks alone. This would mean that 75 percent of the population would at least be vaccinated for the first time.
A specially formed commission is to keep an eye on developments over the summer. In addition to Chancellor Kurz, Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Green) and Health Minister Mckstein, this also includes Tourism Minister Elisabeth Kstinger, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (all VP), State Secretary for Culture Andrea Mayer (Green) and the then Chairman of the Governors’ Conference Gnther Platter (VP) .
- Press foyer after the Council of Ministers: Statement by Minister of Tourism Elisabeth Kstinger (VP)
