Sample processes: consumer advocates are suing Austria after the corona outbreak in Ischgl

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Peter Kolba, Chairman of the Austrian Consumer Protection Association: After the Corona outbreak in Ischgl, four lawsuits were filed with the Vienna Regional Court

Photo: LEONHARD FOEGER / REUTERS

Tourists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are suing for damages in connection with the spread of the corona virus in the Tyrolean ski resort of Ischgl.

The Austrian Consumer Protection Association (VSV) has brought first civil lawsuits against the Republic of Austria at the Vienna Regional Court, the private organization announced.

These are the first test cases, not a class action.

The lawsuits were made on behalf of individuals.

In total, more than 6000 Tyrol holidaymakers from 45 countries registered with the association, around 80 percent of them had tested positive for Sars-CoV-2 after their return from Ischgl.

Further proceedings could follow after the model lawsuits, around a thousand people wanted to be legally represented by the SAAM.

According to the attorney Alexander Klauser, who represents the SAAM, the sample cases submitted are intended to achieve rapid legal success.

In one case, a person affected died of Covid-19 and his bereaved relatives filed a lawsuit.

In two other cases from Germans, the disease was so severe that the patients are still being treated, in the fourth case the person recovered after a corona infection in Ischgl, but had to expect long-term consequences.

According to Klauser, the compensation claims amount to 100,000 euros in one case and 45,000 euros in another.

After the negotiation of the four model cases, further lawsuits would follow, said VSV chairman Peter Kolba.

As a next step, the consumer protection association wants to try to organize one or more large class actions in the coming year.

"But it will take years, if not decades, for such class action lawsuits to end in judgments," said Kolba.

Lawyer appeals to the Austrian government

According to the ORF, Kolba appealed to the Austrian government around Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) to ensure that it is dealt with promptly.

"You don't want to work for ten years," said the chairman.

The corona outbreak in Ischgl, also known as the "Ibiza of the Alps", was considered the country's hotspot and contributed to the spread of the virus across Europe.

The virus is likely to have found the ideal breeding ground for spreading, especially in overcrowded après-ski bars.

The first case in Ischgl was discovered on March 7, days after Iceland had already warned that holidaymakers had been infected there.

The first cases in Austria were reported at the end of February.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz finally announced an immediate quarantine for Ischgl and the surrounding Paznaun Valley on March 13th.

However, tourists were allowed to leave the holiday resorts, which was highly controversial because it allowed the virus to spread further.

The SAAM accuses the local authorities of reacting too slowly and inadequately to the outbreak.

Ischgl is preparing for the coming season

Meanwhile, Ischgl is taking measures to prevent the virus from spreading again in the winter season.

All tourism employees should arrive with a negative corona test or be tested on site.

During the season, employees would then be offered ongoing testing opportunities.

In addition, the wastewater will be analyzed in search of the virus.

The cable car cabins are to be continuously disinfected using cold fogging devices.

The same method is also used daily in the ski buses as well as in sports shops, ski depots, toilet facilities, elevator cabins and the first aid stations.

However, après-ski parties will no longer exist in their previous form.

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fek / Reuters / AP