She considers a comeback of the mask indoors, intensive testing when returning home and in schools as well as strong vaccination incentives to be necessary. There would also be a vaccination hundred “a possible way,” she said in a press conference. The SPÖ leader clearly rejects a general vaccination requirement. Vienna. Rendi-Wagner reiterated her criticism of the defaulting government: The government acted “grossly negligent” with its inaction in the summer – and the signal that the pandemic was over turned out to be a “gross error with fatal consequences”. Now Austria is at the bottom of Western Europe when it comes to vaccinations, the number of infections and hospitalizations is rising “alarmingly fast” – and from Monday onwards a large group of schoolchildren will be sitting unprotected in the classes.
In order to prevent even worse developments, Austria – like Denmark – must manage to rapidly increase the vaccination rate to over 80 percent. The doctor, Rendi-Wagner, considers “1G” for night gastronomy and large events and mandatory “3G” at the workplace, as well as rewards such as concert tickets or financial incentives, to be sensible measures. With 100 to 150 euros for everyone who gets vaccinated, you could increase the rate by ten to 20 percent according to a German study, she noted.
Rendi-Wagner only advocates compulsory vaccination for certain professional groups – in the health and care sector as well as in education – it is “certainly not” for a general obligation. Instead, “persuasion, education, information” should be offered. But here too the government is in default. The SPÖ boss also sees the turquoise-green federal coalition on the move to create nationwide uniform corona rules. With a “patchwork carpet” when it comes to mask or professional vaccination obligations, you only ensure ambiguity, uncertainty – and ultimately the fact that the rules are not followed.
