Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) has now announced a “temporary break” in the FFP2 obligation for three months from June 1st. At the same time, however, he announced: “The mask will come back” and referred to “scenarios in autumn”. Trade was relieved.
At a press conference, Rauch emphasized that he understood the desire of the retail employees because the pandemic offered a “breathing space”. In addition to the staff, this is of course also given to the customers.
Minister of Health Rauch “relented today”, said the GPA union and the trade association in broadcasts. “Of course, the mask requirement is a question of consideration. In view of the falling numbers, an end to the mask can be justified,” says GPA boss Barbara Teiber. But: “We know that retail is not a driver of the pandemic. In view of schools without measures and maskless concerts and sporting events with thousands of visitors, it was high time that the mask ended in retail too.”
“The time of discrimination is over,” says the trade association chairman Rainer Will. 130,000 employees in essential trade would “finally be relieved”.
The two supermarket giants Spar (Spar, Interspar) and Rewe (Billa, Billa plus, Adeg, Suterlüty) naturally welcomed the decision in principle. “We welcome the decision that the mask requirement in the food trade will be suspended on June 1, 2022 and that uniform rules will apply to the entire industry,” said Rewe. A spokesman said the abolition would make work easier.
“Incredibly happy and relieved”
One is “incredibly happy and relieved” that the employees can “take a deep breath again”, according to a Spar spokeswoman. The fact that this may only be a temporary break “must be accepted in the interests of public health”. Both chains emphasized that they have always supported the Corona measures and will continue to do so.
“Our demands were heard, the elimination of the mask requirement was urgently needed,” said a spokesman for Hofer’s competitor Lidl. “We are therefore very pleased about this decision in the interest of our employees in the branches.”
Until a short time before the press conference on Tuesday, there was still extreme reluctance in the Ministry of Health as to how the mask requirement in the food trade would continue. Ultimately, this should apply at least until July 8th, as Rauch had announced on May 7th. “We understand the demands of food retail workers and the ongoing public debate. At the same time, people at particularly high risk of developing serious illnesses from COVID have a legitimate interest in protective measures,” said the Ministry of Health at the APA’s request On Monday afternoon it was announced whether an end or a relaxation of the FFP2 obligation due to the falling number of cases and the resistance would be considered before July 8th or what should happen after this date.
“In any case, any easing will take place as part of a reasonable overall assessment of the epidemiological situation in Austria, in which all relevant parameters such as infection numbers, hospital occupancy and so on are taken into account,” the ministry said. At the press conference today, Rauch referred to the change of mind when asked about consultations with experts, according to which the epidemiological situation permitted new regulations. “That’s why we brought it up a month, it was supposed to be in early July.”
The pressure from ÖVP representatives, i.e. the large coalition partner of the Greens, had recently increased significantly. Harald Mahrer, head of the Economic Chamber and Economic Association, finally wanted to see “the torture of masks” in the food trade ended. There was also increasing criticism from the Employees’ Association of the People’s Party (ÖAAB).
Source: Nachrichten
