The government groups VP and Greens as well as the SP voted for the corresponding ordinance by Health Minister Wolfgang Mckstein (Greens). There was no approval from Neos and FP, it was said in the evening from the parliamentary clubs.
With the “1st amendment to the 5th COVID-19 Emergency Measures Ordinance”, the current lockdown will remain in force until December 11th, as announced by the government (a total of 20 days). The amendment was necessary because, according to the law, exit restrictions can only be imposed for ten days at a time. The other lockdown regulations remain essentially unchanged.
Shops close at 7 p.m.
The biggest change is the restriction on shop opening hours, which became known the day before: those shops and utilities that have been allowed to keep the basic supply open in the current lockdown must close their doors from 7 p.m. on Thursday at the latest. Until now, it was possible to keep them open until 9 p.m. at the latest.
In addition, it is stated (in the “legal reasons” to the regulation) that the sale of Christmas trees falls under the exception of “agricultural trade”. Therefore, Christmas trees can also be sold during the lockdown, and sales at stands are expressly permitted.
Vaccination certificates shorter valid
The Ministry of Health also used the amendment to implement the announced reduction in the validity of vaccination certificates in the Green Passport – from 360 to 270 days. This does not apply to people who have been vaccinated twice and have recovered. The vaccination certificate is still valid for 360 days. This regulation comes into force on December 6th.
As expected, a no to the extension came from the FP, which was fundamentally opposed to the lockdown, and from the NEOS. In relation to the APA, the pink parliamentary club justified the rejection, among other things, with the wish for an earlier opening of trade – “under strict security precautions”.
Source From: Nachrichten
