The corona measures announced by the government on Wednesday meet with the approval of the state governors. Also Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig (SP), who had criticized the hesitant approach in advance, was satisfied, he saw the federal government swung into the Viennese way. There was criticism from the opposition. The FP spoke of a “vaccination”, the SP and NEOS saw too hesitant steps on the part of the federal government.
Mayor Ludwig pointed out that Vienna had already proceeded very restrictively so far. “I am pleased that the consistent Viennese way is supported,” said the city chief in a press conference. For example, the restriction of access to night restaurants (2G regulation) is a suggestion that he has made for a long time. The reduction in the period of validity of antigen tests and the general restrictions envisaged for living room tests are already in place in Vienna. However, Ludwig did not rule out that additional measures could be imposed in Vienna again, should that be necessary.
Praise for “factual cooperation”
Also Krntens SP governor Peter Kaiser saw the federal government on its line that “Krntner demands” had been “enforced in the course of the pandemic control”. For example, those who have recovered up to six months after the illness would be treated on an equal footing with people who had been vaccinated, there would be uniform rules throughout Austria and the PCR tests would also remain free of charge. He called for a more regular exchange between the federal government, the federal states and experts than in the last few months. When it comes to vaccination, information and awareness-raising campaigns are needed, as well as persuasion “especially with regard to various fake news that are circulating on social networks”.
The governor of the Burgenland spoke of “factual cooperation” between the federal government and the federal states in order to get through the autumn safely Hans Peter Doskozil (SP). From his point of view, it is crucial to increase the vaccination rate.
“Can’t give another lockdown”
The VP provincial governors from Lower Austria, Upper Austria and Salzburg were particularly pleased with the focus on intensive care bed occupancy. She said “months ago that when dealing with the corona disease, there should be no tunnel vision just on the number of infections,” said Lower Austria’s governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (VP). The decisive factor is the situation with the seriously ill in the hospitals. It is clear, according to the head of the country: “There can be no further lockdown.”
Also Salzburg’s governor Wilfried Haslauer (VP) was pleased with the “paradigm shift” away from the 7-day incidence towards the inclusion of capacities in the intensive care units. The focus must continue to be on a rapid increase in the vaccination rate, he emphasized. “At the same time, we have to do everything we can to prevent lockdowns. As long as the vaccination rate does not increase significantly, although enough vaccine doses have been available free and uncomplicated for months, these accompanying measures, which mainly apply to unvaccinated people, are unfortunately necessary.”
Governor of Upper Austria Thomas Stelzer stressed that everyone knows that the virus is not gone and will not go away. “So we have to learn to live with it, but also take the right measures at the right time. It is particularly important to me that people who have already been vaccinated are no longer burdened in the fight against the corona virus.” At the same time, those who cannot be vaccinated – such as sick people and children – have to be protected.
“Branding for unvaccinated”
As expected, the rules met with sharp criticism from the FP. Party leader Herbert Kickl described the press conference announcing the steps as “grotesque in every way”. The “absurdity” already begins with the statement of a “pandemic of the unvaccinated”, because in truth it is a “branding of the unvaccinated”. With the statements of Kurz, the population would be “made contemptible,” said Kickl. This is reminiscent of “dark times in history” – and happens “without any evidence”. Now the “vaccination apartheid has finally begun”, and Austria is in a turquoise-green “vaccination”, said Kickl.
“Too late, too hesitant”
The SP blamed the government and Kurz for the sluggish vaccination progress. Nothing was done over the summer to increase this. On the contrary, Kurz claimed that the pandemic had been overcome. “The fourth wave and a high level of stress in the intensive care units were irresponsibly accepted by Kurz,” said SP health spokesman Philip Kucher in one broadcast. The measures now presented are “too late, too hesitant and not consistent enough”. The 1G rule in night gastronomy and for larger events would be needed “immediately”.
NEOS health spokesman Gerald Loacker was also less convinced. “It is good that the federal government has finally learned and equates the recovered with the vaccinated.” Briefly, however, he broke his promise that people who had been vaccinated would no longer be affected by restrictions, as they would have to wear FFP2 masks again in the grocery trade and on public transport. Basically, he also regards the plans as “too hesitant, hesitant and tattered”. He also called for free tests to be restricted to those who cannot be vaccinated.
Economy and industry satisfied
The Chamber of Commerce (WK), the Economic Association (WB) and industry have shown themselves to be satisfied with the government’s new corona measures today. “From the point of view of the economy there is no alternative that everything is done to prevent further lockdowns,” said WK President Harald Mahrer. WB General Secretary Kurt Egger stated: “Closed restaurants, bars and theaters should therefore be a thing of the past.”
Sales representatives were also relieved Rainer Trefelik: “We are pleased that, with the exception of the grocery trade, the FFP2 mask requirement is only being introduced for unvaccinated people throughout Austria.”
“Makes businesses breathe a sigh of relief”
Tourism chairman Robert Seeber described today’s announcements by the federal government as a “step with a sense of proportion at the right time”. Mario Pulker, Chairman of the Gastronomy Association, was also satisfied Susanne Kraus-Winkler, Chairman of the professional association for the hotel industry.
Astrid Legner, Chairwoman of the Association of Leisure and Sports Companies, emphasized: “The step-by-step plan announced today finally gives our companies a sigh of relief after weeks of uncertainty and ensures that they can be planned to a certain extent.”
The private trade association stated today that the differentiated introduction of the FFP2 mask requirement in the entire Austrian trade is a surprising measure, since trade with a case share of only 0.3 percent is demonstrably not a corona hotspot. The Federation of Industrialists, on the other hand, spoke of a “perspective for autumn”.
“Social liability”
The liberal economy sees it completely differently. The federal chairman spoke of a “renewed crossing of a red line” Matthias Krenn. “Apparently, unvaccinated people are supposed to be taken into social custody in order to force them to be vaccinated,” said Krenn. He considers the measures against unvaccinated people to be unconstitutional.
