“There was a public question as to whether burkinis could not be allowed in the outdoor pool. But it wasn’t just about that for us,” explains Thomas Unger, SP deputy mayor in Ansfelden, why his parliamentary group submitted a motion to change the bathing regulations in the municipal council. This has existed since 2014, and in view of the changes that have occurred since then – for example in terms of immigration – an amendment is worth considering. Unger emphasizes: “It’s not just about religious reasons, athletes such as triathletes also have longer swimwear. And there are other reasons why someone doesn’t just want to wear short swimming trunks.”
However, the application was rejected by a majority in the municipal council. “99 percent of visitors think our bathing rules are good. Why should you change something that works,” says FP Mayor Christian Partoll: “For hygienic reasons, bathing in long clothing is not allowed they also get caught. So there is also a safety aspect to the fact that long swimwear is not allowed.”
By the way: In the baths of Linz AG in the state capital, wearing burkinis is expressly permitted in the bathing regulations, provided the material corresponds to that of normal swimwear.
Source: Nachrichten
