SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner advocates that returnees who return to travel undergo a PCR test – and if possible, vaccinated people too. At a press conference on Friday, she called the tests “extremely important”. Because most of the new variants came to Austria from other countries. In the case of vaccinated people it is the case that immunization protects more frequently, but not 100 percent, from being able to infect others: “If we want to be safe and that has to be the goal, PCR testing would be important for everyone. “
Independently of the returnees, the SPÖ boss appealed for a wide range of tests to be maintained. It is also conceivable for them to have a random sampling system with several larger and smaller cities and municipalities, where regular PCR tests are carried out and corresponding data are provided. In this way you could avoid being surprised by new as yet unknown variants.
Rendi-Wagner welcomed the fact that in Vienna the mask requirement is retained in trade and at cultural events. The mask has become a “simple habit” that is reasonable in these areas. According to the SPÖ chairman, night catering can keep it open, but only if the new 2G rule is checked accordingly: “It depends on the controls.”
Rendi-Wagner once again criticized Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) for signaling to the population that the pandemic was over. There is no doubt that the fourth wave is already here. Laissez faire is therefore not appropriate. It would be crucial for the SPÖ boss to accelerate the vaccinations, for example by bringing the second appointment forward.
