He had done a gurgle test in the morning on Thursday, the last day of the meeting so far. The positive result came on Friday. As an unknowingly infected person, Hafenecker was still on the U-Committee.
According to the Parliamentary Directorate, an employee of the Greens, who was on the committee on Thursday, is also positive. All clubs have been informed and are concerned with tracing relevant contacts. The health authorities would have to decide on any quarantine regulations.
ÖVP criticizes late reporting
VP parliamentary group leader Andreas Hanger called it “scandalous and irresponsible” that they were only informed on Monday. The Parliamentary Directorate confirmed that the report did not come earlier – there was also no obligation to do so. Hafenecker told Puls24 yesterday evening that he had immediately informed his immediate surroundings. His symptoms are very mild. He’s not vaccinated.
FP General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz said that transmission of the virus in parliament was “highly unlikely” given the size of the committee rooms and the Plexiglas walls. He accused the ÖVP of exploiting Hafenecker’s infection.
On Thursday, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (VP) was interviewed for four hours in the committee as an informant. After the report about Hafenecker’s infection, the Chancellery canceled all appointments yesterday as a precaution. A routine test at Kurz in the afternoon gave a negative result.
