In Germany, despite the high corona numbers, things are being relaxed, in Austria they are already taking a step backwards: the FFP2 mask requirement is being extended to all indoor areas again.
While extensive easing of the corona measures has been decided in Germany, these are to be tightened again in Austria. From the middle of next week, the neighboring country will again be obliged to wear FFP2 masks indoors, Health Minister Johannes Rauch announced on Friday evening, according to the APA news agency. A corresponding regulation should therefore be available by Wednesday.
On March 6, Austria largely lifted its corona restrictions despite the continued high number of infections. The obligation to wear an FFP2 mask has been limited to hospitals, public transport and the customer areas of essential shops, among other things.
In the meantime, however, it has become apparent that the easing came too early, said Rauch. In the next two weeks, too, the number of corona infections is expected to be over 50,000 per day. The Austrian Corona Commission welcomed the reintroduction of the mask requirement. According to the APA, the experts explained that the measure could “significantly reduce” the number of infections.
Overworked hospital staff
At the same time, Rauch also announced that the quarantine regulations for infected employees in hospitals and care facilities would be relaxed. The reason is an overload of the staff due to the high number of patients in the facilities. “The operation can only be maintained with difficulty,” said the Minister of Health. There is an urgent need for action. However, the new regulations would still be discussed. Employees in Austrian hospitals and care facilities can currently take a free test after five days.
In Germany, the Bundestag and Bundesrat approved the new Infection Protection Act on Friday, which only allows most of the previous corona measures on a transitional basis until the beginning of April. A so-called basic protection now applies, which essentially only provides for a mask requirement for public transport and facilities with people particularly at risk from the corona virus.
In the future, the federal states may only order stricter measures for so-called hotspots, but temporarily they may leave the previous rules in force until April 2nd.
Source: Stern
