Although the number of infections is high, the situation in the hospitals is under control: Switzerland and Austria are therefore ending almost all corona measures. Switzerland is particularly quick to do so.
The southern neighboring countries of Austria and Switzerland are throwing most of the protective measures overboard in view of the falling corona numbers.
Switzerland is already largely returning to normal this Thursday, and in Austria most of the restrictions should be lifted by March 5th. In both countries, only the mask requirement should continue to apply in some areas for the time being. However, Austria is sticking to the compulsory vaccination that has come into force.
“We have not yet overcome the pandemic,” warned Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) in Vienna. In view of the stable situation in the clinics, however, the opening steps are possible. The Swiss also pointed out that the healthcare system was unlikely to be overloaded despite the continued high virus circulation. “We hope that this will be the final exit from the crisis,” said Health Minister Alain Berset.
Even without a mask on the go
In Switzerland, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can now go to restaurants, shops, cultural institutions and leisure facilities again without a mask and corona ID. There are also no longer any restrictions on private meetings and the recommendation to work from home has been lifted. Only on buses and trains and in health facilities will masks remain compulsory for the time being. In retirement and nursing homes, however, only the staff and visitors have to wear a mask, not the residents. There are no longer any requirements for those entering the country: proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test is not required.
In Austria, events are possible again without restrictions from March 5th. The curfew should fall and gastronomic offers should be allowed again at night. Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) said that the 3G rule should apply again instead of the 2G rule in gastronomy, at events, in cable cars and in sports facilities from February 19th. Entry will also be made much easier with the 3G rule that will then apply for those who have been vaccinated, those who have recovered and those who have been tested. It is now possible “a worthy spring awakening from an entrenched crisis mode”.
Mückstein warned that the situation could deteriorate again in the fall. Therefore, the summer must be used for vaccination. Vaccination is not up for grabs. The rate of those with basic protection, which usually requires two injections, is currently 70 percent. In Switzerland it was just under 69 percent.
In both neighboring countries, the number of infections is significantly higher than in Germany. In Austria, the seven-day incidence was around 2,500 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants. In Germany it was around 1,400. In Switzerland, only the 14-day incidence is recorded, which was given as a good 4,450 on Wednesday.
Source: Stern
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