Corona in Austria: Like in the action film - spectacular military operation over the rooftops of Vienna in the video

Corona crisis: Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his government in Austria are easing the situation. Follow all developments here in the news ticker.

• Corona crisis : Austria is relaxing its exit restrictions.
• For some time now , the number of newcomers has exceeded the number of newly infected people.
• A village doctor from the Ischgl epicenter now explained the outbreak of the coronavirus .
• Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Germany. You can also find current case numbers in Germany here as a map *. The following recommendations for corona protective measures * are currently available.
  

Update, 8 p.m .:  Spectacular military and rescue operations between  Vienna  and Vorarlberg 600 kilometers away in the fight against Corona .

"Our helicopters brought an intensive care patient from Vorarlberg yesterday," said Federal Spokesman Michael Bauer on Twitter on Friday .

Our helicopters brought an intensive care patient from Vorarlberg yesterday: doctors were picked up by the AKH with 1 S-70, 1 AB212 flew from Linz to Vorarlberg with the flying intensive care unit. The patient was invited to Bludenz and flown to Vienna that night. pic.twitter.com/ONlclVQND0

That had happened: An S-70 Black Hawk helicopter from the German Army collected doctors from the General Hospital Vienna (AKH Vienna) and flew them across Austria to Bludenz in Vorarlberg near the German border.

At the same time, a Federal Army Bell 212 helicopter flew a flying intensive care unit from Linz, Upper  Austria, to the westernmost state. That night, a seriously ill corona patient was flown to the clinic in Vienna with the Black Hawk helicopter, the flying intensive care unit and the doctors.

Not an easy task to land at the AKH at night after a long flight with night vision devices. Our pilots flew an intensive care patient from Vorarlberg to the AKH yesterday. #Bundesheer pic.twitter.com/5sBlA8wkz2

As Bauer emphasized, this was a tricky task for the Bundeswehr pilots - they had to land at the clinic "after an hour-long flight with night vision devices". 

Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner personally thanked the pilots for the successful rescue mission the next day. On Twitter, Wiener had reacted in surprise to the unusual helicopter noises in the middle of the night.

Corona in Austria: dispute over the “bathtub of the Viennese”

Update, 7 p.m .:  Debates about Austria's  favorite bathing lake in the Corona crisis .

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state government in Burgenland had imposed access restrictions on the huge Lake Neusiedl southeast of Vienna  - with the exception of residents within a radius of 15 kilometers.

Now there was clear criticism from a constitutional lawyer. According to krone.at, Heinz Mayer considers  the access restrictions to the seaside resorts to be inadmissible; in concrete terms, this should restrict the freedom of movement.

The Neusiedler See is considered the "bathtub of the Viennese".

© picture alliance / dpa-tmn / Popp & Hackner

Mayer believes that only people who live within a radius of 15 kilometers are allowed to enter the seaside resorts and groups are excluded because of their place of residence. "It could also be the case that locals do not want to go to the seaside resorts and people who live further away do not want to," he said.

The largest Austrian lake is located in Burgenland directly on the border with Hungary and is particularly popular with the Viennese.

Corona in Austria: “Secret plan” for school openings 

Update from April 17, 2020, 10 a.m .:  The question of when school operations can start again plays a major role in Austria . Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Minister of Health Rudolf Anschober want to decide on this at the end of April . Now, as reported by oe24.at, there should be a first  “secret plan” . 

According to this, high school students and apprentices between the ages of 14 and 18 could go back to class from mid-May. They should wear masks, keep a minimum distance of two meters and a shared lesson is foreseen. Furthermore, only key subjects such as German, math and English should be taught. 

According to the report, elementary schools could start teaching again in late May or early June. However, this is only very much reduced. However, it is questionable whether the young students consistently maintain a minimum distance and wear masks. Kindergartens, on the other hand, should only be opened again in autumn. 

However, teacher unionist Paul Kimberger told oe24.at that there is no need to think about starting school as long as the schools are not equipped with sufficient disinfectants, protective materials and masks. 

FPÖ boss Norbert Hofer,  however, is in favor of a quick reopening of the schools. In adult education centers and lower school this should happen "as soon as possible". He suggests block lessons for this. Regarding protective measures, Hofer says: "If there are only four or five children in the class, it must be possible."

Meanwhile, laboratory accusations against China are growing louder. A ZDF report expresses serious suspicions. The situation is also getting worse in Europe. French head of state Emmanuel Macron last handed out against Germany. 

Corona in Austria: The current case numbers

Update, 9:30 p.m .: According to John Hopkins University, 14,451 people in Austria were infected with the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus by Thursday evening. Almost 400 people, University reports , have died to date from Covid-19 . 

Update, 1:25 pm:  After the debates about the ski regions in Tyrol as a possible corona nucleus for all of Europe, the Tyrolean head of state Günther Platter showed understanding for criticism of crisis management. "I understand that with today's knowledge there is criticism of one or the other decision," said the ÖVP politician in the state parliament in Innsbruck . The decisions in Tyrol were always made "together with experts at the state and federal levels to the best of our knowledge and belief and based on the available knowledge".

He was also concerned that many guests had been infected with Sars-CoV-2 while vacationing in Tyrol , said Platter. He therefore announced another "in-depth analysis". In his view, this must also be done for Austria , Europe and the whole world . 

Corona: Austria plans new test strategy - 130,000 people affected

Update, 11:35:  All employees and residents of seniors - and nursing homes in Austria are the coronavirus test. Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens) said at a press conference in Vienna that this was "the very big, central focus" of the future test strategy . According to Anschober, the measure affects 130,000 people in more than 900 facilities. 

The changed test strategy for Austria also includes more tests for retail employees. Until recently, suspected cases of Sars-CoV-2 were tested in Austria . There are fewer and fewer of these now, the minister said.

Under the current total number of tests , the demonstrated health minister quite satisfied. Some countries, including Germany and Switzerland, would have tested more in relation to the population. But: "We carried out significantly more tests than Spain, a multiple compared to Sweden, a multiple compared to Great Britain and France."

The number of new infections every day is now very low in Austria . Today, Thursday (April 16), the Ministry of Health reported 14,370 confirmed cases (as of 8:00 a.m.). More than 8000 people have recovered in the meantime.

Corona in Austria: Dark-figure study started - doctor angry about “nonsensical” mask requirement

Update, 9:50:  Critical now expressed a general practitioner from Vienna to that in Austria applicable mask duty . It is "nonsensical" to wear a mask when you are traveling alone, the doctor said. Marcus Franz opposite oe24.at .

It makes him "really grumpy" when he constantly sees how protective masks are used incorrectly. "The protective masks should be worn on occasions when they are useful," explains the Viennese doctor . This would include shopping in a supermarket or in one of the smaller shops that are already open - as well as traveling by public transport and taxi. However, the masks would then have to be put on correctly.

Honestly, this useless mask wearing makes me grumpy in public

Honestly, this useless mask wearing makes me grumpy in public

The Austrian Federal Government has not yet launched any major information campaign on the proper use of protective masks, it says on oe24.at on.

Corona in Austria: First warnings after loosening - unreported study started

Update, April 16, 9:33 a.m .:  A new corona study will start in Austria on Thursday (April 16) to determine the undisclosed number of infected people. The "Statistics Austria" has selected for this 2,800 persons reported oe24.at .

Coronavirus in Austria: Relaxation also in the sports area - May Bundesliga play again soon?

Update, 11 p.m .: After the corona easing in the economy, Austria wants to gradually reintegrate professional sport into everyday life and therefore still open its outdoor and indoor facilities this month to around 600 professional athletes in the country. 

Sports Minister Werner Kogler (The Greens) announced this Wednesday. However, football teams are required by the government to train in groups of a maximum of six players. 

The goal, said the interior minister responsible for sports, Kogler, to let the Austrian Bundesliga play again shortly without spectators. The highest football league in the Alpine Republic has been paused since March 8th.

Corona in Austria: SPÖ party leader calls for more tests

Update, 9:50 p.m .:  Recognition from the opposition: SPÖ party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner has praised the measures taken by the government of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) after the start of the corona easing in Austria .

"What I would certainly have done like him: The acute phase was handled correctly. Measures were necessary and those that were set were correct. The major restrictions were necessary in order to contain the virus in good time, ”said the former health minister in a TV talk with her successor Rudolf“ Rudi ”Anschober (The Greens) at Puls 24 . 

“It is now a delicate issue in disease management. The most important thing is to be vigilant so that there is no second wave, "continued the doctor - and still found critical words:" It is about keeping the virus under control, and this can only be done with intensive Tests. I would have started up the number of tests at the same speed as the measures are now being shut down. ”

Chancellor Kurz had repeatedly announced that he wanted to rapidly expand the network of corona tests .

Corona loosening in Austria: the masses are already lining up again

Update from April 15 : The number of corona infected people in Austria is currently (as of 10:39) at 14,265 reported cases. 384 people have already died in the country with the novel corona virus. 

7633 people have recovered from the infection with the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen .

Update, 9:50 p.m .:  Test run for the auto industry in the  coronavirus pandemic .

In Graz  in Styria, the automotive supplier Magna Steyr has started up its production again with the highest safety precautions with 2,500 employees.

The Kleine Zeitung reports . The G-Class from Mercedes-Benz is mass-produced at Magna Steyr. 

From April 20, vehicles for the BMW Group and Jaguar Land Rover will also be produced again. In the rest of Europe, however, the auto industry  has come to a standstill because of the corona crisis .

Corona in Austria: Salzburg removes quarantines for eight municipalities

Update, 9.30 p.m .: In Pinzgau and Pongau, two out of five districts in the state of Salzburg  near the Bavarian border, quarantine in eight out of nine communities ended at midnight - including in the tourist and local resort of Zell am See .

Only in the Altenmarkt community was the quarantine extended by two days, as there were several coronavirus infections in the local retirement home .

Zell Am See: Two people enjoy the fresh air in a park on Lake Zell. The State of Salzburg has announced the lifting of the quarantine in eight municipalities, including Zell am See.

© dpa / Expa, Jfk

On the Easter weekend, on the other hand, the federal state of Tyrol extended the quarantines for the Paznaun valley with the towns of Ischgl and Galtür as well as for St. Anton am Arlberg and the well-known winter sports town of Sölden in the Ötz Valley by two weeks.

Corona in Austria: Strict rules when shopping for loosening

Update, 9:15 p.m .: Despite the easing in the corona crisis, there are clear rules when shopping: wear a mouthguard, keep a minimum distance, access only for healthy customers.

For example, retailers in Vienna use posters at the entrances to their stores to indicate that people with the following symptoms are not allowed to enter the store: fever, cough, shortness of breath and / or difficulty breathing. In addition, only one customer can get in on an area of ​​20 square meters.

Vienna: Park sheriffs, who are used for park surveillance, stand with mouth guards in front of the entrance to the Volksgarten. The Vienna Federal Gardens are open again.

© dpa / Roland Schlager

While long lines were forming in front of hardware stores this Tuesday, there was no rush in other sectors. The citizens obviously have to get used to the regained freedoms.

Large shopping centers are also due to reopen on May 2nd. In contrast, cafés and restaurants as well as other restaurants remain closed until at least mid-May. 

Coronavirus in Austria: Vienna with the most corona patients

Update, 9 p.m .: Vienna currently has the most corona patients . The news portal oe24.at reports .

As of Tuesday afternoon, 14,159 people had tested positive for the pathogen Sars-CoV-2 , according to a report by the Ministry of Health. 7,633 people suffering from corona were therefore considered to have recovered.

384 deaths from coronavirus infection were counted, currently there are 243 seriously ill people in intensive care units, the ministry said.

The most affected federal state is still the capital Vienna with 1,437 registered corona cases . This development is not surprising, given that Vienna is an international linchpin and by far the largest city with around 1.9 million inhabitants in the country with 9 million inhabitants.

Corona crisis in Austria: from a state of emergency back to normal 

Update, 4:33 p.m .: Austria was in a state of emergency for four weeks . Despite the coronavirus pandemic , the country now wants to gradually ease the measures imposed, and numerous shops are already open again. 

Smaller businesses such as perfumeries or boutiques benefit from these first steps. But DIY stores and garden centers can also welcome customers again. 

And just in Austria there are long queues in front of the shops - with face masks and spacing, but still: many Austrians are queuing in front of those shops that are now open again.

In Austria, long lines form in front of the shops. 

© Eibner press photo / Spiess / Eibner press photo / EXPA / Spiess

Update from April 14, 3:10 p.m .:  In the course of promising developments in the Corona * figures in Austria, the government has now drawn a positive interim balance. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Tuesday in Vienna, "We are on track" . The discipline and perseverance of the population had led to a loosening of the regulations, a first step towards “new normal” for Chancellor Kurz

Corona in Austria: Chancellor Kurz sees Austria on the right path

"As much freedom as possible, as much restrictions as necessary" continues to be the guideline in the Alpine Republic. Kurz, however, did not count on such a large rush to hardware stores, as was reported in many places. But even there, customers would largely adhere to the instructions. All shops are now scheduled to open by May 2, and restaurants could open from mid-May.

According to Health Minister Rudolf Anschober, the increase in registered cases for ten days has been less than three percent a day. The growth rate was recently only 0.8 percent, Anschober said. The number of infected people only doubles every 39 days.

First report from April 14th : The new easing of  the corona restrictions in Austria has been in effect since April 14th . Shops that are smaller than 400 square meters can open again, as well as garden centers and hardware stores. However, an area of ​​20 square meters must be available per customer. From May 1st, hairdressers should now also be able to offer their services to customers. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described the innovations to combat the corona virus * as a cautious step "towards normality" . Kurz thanked the people in Austria for their staying power.

Thank you for the good cooperation in the federal government over the Easter holidays & a big thank you to you, dear Austrians. Please stay strong & keep going.

Corona in Austria: New easing demands enforcement of new rules

The deal with the population: In return for the easing , a number of new rules must now be observed in Austria. In public transport , a full-face protection * mandatory, in trade needs of the area to be covered. The general safety distance of at least one meter must also be observed everywhere. Until the end of the month, the Austrians are only required to go to the front door under certain conditions . Working, shopping or walking is allowed, as is helping people in need.

The Ischgl ski paradise is one of the places where the coronavirus * broke out. Calm has now returned, but the negative headlines are endless. The area has already been described as the  “virus thrower of Europe” , and many of the inhabitants of the town, which largely lives from tourism, are desperate. 

Corona in Austria: Village doctor from Ischgl explains the spread - he tested the first Corona case

Village doctor Andreas Walser is known in Ischgl, here he is known as a doctor with a distinctive mustache. It was on March 7th that Walser subjected a  bartender to  a popular après-ski bar in the village to a corona test *. This is positive, the first corona case in Ischgl was official. According to the agency for health and food security, the bartender was not the first virus carrier, as the Focus reports.

"This first patient came to us with a severe flu-like infection," says Walser , who carried out the test * "due to the symptoms and the medical history". Only later did the man tell "that there is feedback about guests who have traveled home and who tested positive for Covid-19 * at home". At the time of the first documented case, however, according to Walser, there was no case of the lung involvement typical of the virus - "neither with us, nor in the hospital, nor in the Innsbruck clinic". Already on March 5, the authorities received the news that 15 Icelanders had been infected in Ischgl. However, Tyrolean authorities assume that the infection took place on the plane . 

Corona in Austria: Tyrol fights against the bad image in the crisis

When a quarantine * is imposed on March 13, tourists are still allowed to leave the valley . More than 70 percent of the more than 4,000 people who had been infected with the Coronavirus * in Tyrol in March came from Germany . The majority of them stated that they had been in Ischgl. This explained consumer protector Peter Kolba. He accuses the authorities of acting too slowly and adds: "We assume that this was the case for commercial reasons". The Tyrolean head of state Ingrid Felipe from the Greens now wants to work on the situation. It wants to counteract the blanket judgment against Tyrol in the Corona crisis.

* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

List of rubric lists: © picture alliance / dpa / Christian Bruna