Specifically, a rapid antigen test that is carried out in a test line or in a pharmacy can only be used for 24 hours from September instead of the previous 48 hours. For PCR tests, the time limit is reduced from 72 to 48 hours. Only for children under the age of twelve do the previous time spans remain in place for the two variants.
Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) informed about the new regulation on Tuesday afternoon. Discussions on how to proceed with regard to corona measures took place beforehand in the Vienna City Hall. Ludwig again discussed this with his team of experts. Recently, he has repeatedly enacted regulations that were stricter than in the rest of the country.
Further tightening possible
“From my point of view, the pandemic is not over yet,” warned the city chief today. The main concern is the development to be expected after school has started. In Germany, for example, it has already been shown that the number of infections has increased significantly. He said that there are discussions with the federal government about how the schools will actually work. Wait for the relevant regulation.
Ludwig made no secret of the fact that further stricter measures could soon be in the house, such as the 1-G rule, which would mean disadvantages for unvaccinated people. For the time being, however, they only want to “turn the screws” on the test offers, as the mayor put it. Tests are still important because there are people who could not or do not want to be vaccinated, he said. At the same time, Ludwig asked those returning to travel to be examined.
Return to the FFP2 mask in homes?
Other Viennese measures that have already been prescribed will be continued. The mask requirement will continue to apply in the entire trade. It is still being considered whether an FFP2 mask will be prescribed again in nursing homes in the future. In the end, a simple mouth and nose protection was again allowed here. Nothing will change in the Vienna 3-G requirement for children from the age of six. Also, as before, living room tests are no longer valid as proof of a visit to a restaurant, for example.
Criticism came straight away from Vienna’s FPÖ boss Dominik Nepp. The announcement to reduce the period of validity of the corona tests only serves to throw millions in tax money down the throat of the red test industry with “permanent tests”, he speculated in a broadcast. The consequence is an additional harassment for the Viennese population.
Video: Mayor Ludwig’s statement in full
