They shared this on Saturday. Entering discos would then only be permitted to those who were fully immunized. As reported, the SPÖ had previously called for something similar. “Austria has mastered the corona pandemic comparatively well so far. But we have to be well prepared for autumn because the numbers will rise again. If the numbers continue to rise, then the 1G rule for discos and nightclubs is needed,” said Kurz clear. With the vaccination one has “the best means in hand to get the pandemic under control and to protect our health system”. The Chancellor said that it was now important “to vaccinate as much as possible to protect yourself and others.”
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“Current scientific prognoses show that we have to increase the vaccination rate further in order to avoid overloading the health system,” Mückstein pointed out. The Minister of Health therefore once again appealed to all those who had not been vaccinated to catch up: “You are protecting yourself and your loved ones from a serious illness”.
European comparison: Austria in the upper third
Although Austria has a much higher test rate than most other European countries, the number of infections in Europe is in the upper third. Referring to experts, Kurz and Mückstein affirmed that vaccination is the only long-term effective measure in combating pandemics.
The government therefore wants to increase the vaccination coverage: the Federal Chancellery is increasing the activities of the nationwide Austria vaccination campaign for specific target groups in order to increase the rate of first vaccinations again and continuously increase the vaccination coverage. The Ministry of Health, in turn, wants to promote vaccination offers that are as low-threshold as possible in regular exchange with the federal states.
Booster vaccinations start in September
In addition, vaccination protection should be maintained as well as possible for those who have already been vaccinated. That is why the National Vaccination Board recommended last week that vulnerable groups and those with vector vaccines should first be given a booster vaccination, which all other groups should later receive nine to twelve months after full immunization. Preparations for this are in progress with the federal states, and the first booster vaccinations are to be given in the old people’s and nursing homes as early as the beginning of September.
Risk-based approach for the fall
In addition, the government is evaluating the epidemiological situation and taking joint planning steps for autumn. A “risk-based approach” is pursued, as Kurz and Mückstein explained: “In night-time catering we have the situation that many unvaccinated people meet vaccinated people. This is why there is a particular risk of so-called super-spreader events. These must be prevented as far as possible.” . From autumn, when social life shifts inward again, a 1G rule could become necessary, for example in night-time dining, if the number of infections continues to rise and the vaccination rate among boys continues to be low.
SPÖ boss Pamela Rendi-Wagner had once again requested on Saturday morning that access to night restaurants, festivals and sporting events should only be allowed for those who were completely vaccinated. The government should introduce this 1G rule across Austria for areas with a high risk of infection, she demanded in a broadcast. According to a “profil” survey, there is a narrow majority in favor of 1G in the population.
