The Ischgl resort, which last winter became a major European hotbed of coronavirus contamination, announced on Friday the " strict supervision " next season of " après-skis ", these gatherings watered at the foot of the slopes having contributed to the spread of the pandemic.
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" There will be no après-ski next season as we knew them until now, " said the tourism federation of the region of Paznaun, in Tyrol, where Ischgl, a destination is located. of Tyrol nicknamed " the Ibiza of the Alps " for its unbridled evenings.
In the Germanic world, the expression “ après-ski ” designates the unbridled socialization of holidaymakers who meet by the hundreds at the foot of the slopes after a day of downhill to drink and party, near stalls playing loud popular music. These joyful and carefree evenings constitute an important tourist argument.
Negative tests requested
Thousands of holidaymakers, especially Germans and Scandinavians, are said to have caught the new coronavirus during their stay in the resort in early 2020, then to have imported it when they return from vacation. The local authorities in Ischgl and Tyrol, who deny any responsibility, are criticized for their late reaction and suspected of having played down the pandemic to save the season. Complaints have been lodged with the Austrian courts and a preliminary investigation is underway.
The Paznaun Tourism Federation presented a health plan on Friday to ensure the safety of holidaymakers next winter in Ischgl, urging them to present a negative test for coronavirus upon arrival at the hotel or to undergo a test free screening. Wearing a mask will be compulsory in the ski lifts and in certain busy streets.
Despite the Ischgl outbreak, the number of contaminations has been relatively limited in Austria, a country of 8.8 million inhabitants, with 24,612 officially recorded cases to date and 730 deaths attributable to the Covid-19 disease.
But like many countries in Europe, Austria is currently expressing its concern about an increase in contamination. It recorded 347 new cases Thursday evening in 24 hours, the largest increase since early April.
