Because almost a third of corona infections can be traced back to return travelers, Mückstein wants to introduce mandatory PCR testing for returnees. “We are currently looking at it,” he thinks it is a “sensible option,” Mückstein emphasized in an APA interview on Friday. Although the minister is still against a general compulsory vaccination, he recommends that the federal states introduce one for the health professions.
“There will be no general compulsory vaccination in Austria”, affirmed Mückstein, “I do not consider that to be expedient”. He can certainly gain a lot from an obligation from people who work in a medical context, at least that should be the case with new hires. He thinks it is “not justifiable” to work with old people and to endanger them because one has not been vaccinated. There is a “high ethical responsibility” here. The federal states already have the option of compulsory vaccination for health professions – the question of whether he recommends such a vaccination, affirmed Mückstein.
Mückstein, on the other hand, did not want to get involved in anything similar for teachers and kindergarten teachers: Minister Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP) is responsible for the education sector, who assumes an estimated vaccination rate of around 75 percent among teachers. If so, Mückstein doesn’t see a big problem here either. In addition, the question arises for him what about police officers or ambulance drivers, for example – “this is a very delicate discussion that has to be carried out widely”.
Booster vaccinations free of charge
In any case, the minister assures that the Corona booster vaccinations will not cost anything either: “It will definitely remain free.” The first refreshments will be necessary from late autumn onwards; they will probably be carried out by the general practitioners, as Mückstein explained. It is a wish of the federal states and social security to get away from the vaccination streets and towards the private sector. Whether the family doctors can do this alone is currently being discussed with the medical association – it must be ensured that “everyone gets their sting”. The National Vaccination Board is also currently concerned with whether older people should not be vaccinated again earlier. Mückstein once again questioned whether the tests would still be free in autumn. You have to look at the situation in autumn, but the minister was vague.
Mask requirement: No tightening necessary
Even if the number of infections is increasing, Mückstein currently sees no need for further tightening of measures, such as a reintroduction of the mask requirement at indoor events, keyword festivals, suggested by experts. In the “essential areas” such as public transport and the grocery trade, masking is compulsory, and it is currently “justifiable”. But, restricted the minister: “We’ll take a closer look at the numbers.”
In the first weeks of his ministerial tenure, easing was announced, “which is of course the more pleasant part”, but since the beginning of July there has been a new situation with increasing numbers of infections. At the moment, the situation in the hospitals is still good, but only around half of the population has been vaccinated, and it is not known how quickly the others will be infected. If there is a “peak” here in six to eight weeks, it is “not excluded” that there will be another problem in the hospitals in September. But they wanted to “prevent this with small screws and measures,” explained Mückstein.
“Surprised” about criticism from night restaurateurs
Most recently, the rules for clubs and discos have been tightened, since this week only vaccinations or PCR tests are valid as admission tickets. “What surprised me was that some night restaurant representatives resisted this new regulation,” said Mückstein, “that’s old thinking for me”. If there are hotspots, the night restaurant has to be closed completely, and “I don’t want that,” emphasized Mückstein. Getting vaccinated or “setting up” a PCR test on Thursday so that you can party on the weekend is quite reasonable. “We will also have to step up controls,” announced the minister.
In general, Rudolf Anschober’s successor, who has been in office for 100 days this week, already has the feeling that he can assert himself with the coalition partner ÖVP. He had a “very good and correct employment relationship” with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), said Mückstein in response to a question. “I can not complain.” Mückstein admitted that he first had to learn that important things such as opening regulations simply needed close coordination with the head of government. It works well, as it was only with the recent tightening that it was shown that one reacts quickly to changed incidence figures.
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“Actually smoke less”
The coalition climate is of course not quite as harmonious, currently the ÖVP and the Green Skirmishes are engaged in climate policy, specifically the evaluation of road construction projects commissioned by Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens). The climate crisis is a huge challenge, if you do not achieve the climate targets, this will lead to refugee movements and heat deaths, warned Mückstein. It is not enough to be praised for climate goals, the Greens told the coalition partner: “We don’t need goals, we need action,” said Mückstein. This is exactly what Gewessler does – “an evaluation is not indecent”.
The first days in office were intense for Mückstein: “That was a tough time with few breaks.” The Minister of Health no longer comes to smoking as often: “I actually smoke less than when I was in my ministerial office.”
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