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Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz
Photo: LISI NIESNER / REUTERS
Extensive restrictions to contain the corona virus have been in place in Austria for six months.
In the near future, however, the measures are to be significantly relaxed in many areas.
As of May 19, practically all shutdown industries will be able to dare to make a fresh start.
This was announced by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP).
The central pillar of the step is a comprehensive protection concept that focuses on access tests for restaurants, hotels, sports and culture.
This also applies to congresses and trade fairs.
According to the government, Germans who want to go on vacation in Austria can plan again.
The quarantine obligation only applies to high-risk areas.
A negative test or the green passport are sufficient for entry from Germany.
"These opening steps are carried out with strict security concepts, but they are carried out," said Kurz.
He hopes that further facilitations, for example for night gastronomy, wedding celebrations and club parties, could follow from July 1st.
The schools should switch to face-to-face teaching again as early as May 17th.
In view of these plans, a renewed increase in the number of corona infections can be expected, said the Austrian head of government.
But he is assuming that thanks to the vaccinations, the situation will remain manageable.
"There is a certain anticipation in the air," said Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens).
It is important for the government to give a positive perspective and to ensure that it can be planned.
"I've seen that children have depression," said the new Minister of Health, Wolfgang Mückstein.
In addition to an appeal for further caution, the doctor attached great importance to a look at the collateral damage caused by the restrictions.
"We saw that homeschooling and home office do not go together."
With all the success of the test strategy to date, the Vice Rector of the Medical University of Vienna, Oswald Wagner, also urged caution.
"Stumbling can still happen in the last few meters of the marathon." The federal states could tighten measures again, should that be necessary, said Kurz.
Outdoor events with 3000 people possibly still in May
Specifically, events with up to 3000 people outdoors with a protection concept are possible again from May 19.
There is an upper limit of 1500 people for indoor spaces.
Gastronomy and cultural institutions are to reopen, but according to plans no more than four adults will be allowed to meet between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
In gastronomy, a curfew should apply from 10 p.m.
In amateur sports, contact sports such as soccer are again allowed from May 19.
Austria has rolled out a particularly wide range of tests, even in a global comparison.
The weekly millions of tests - their number would correspond to around 20 million antigen and PCR tests per week in Germany - are a backbone of the Corona strategy.
In the corona crisis, the number of new infections had recently fallen somewhat - also thanks to a lockdown lasting several weeks in three eastern federal states.
The pressure in the intensive care units also decreased.
Overall, the seven-day incidence of around 180 is still above the German value of 164. According to experts, one of the main sources of infection is the private sector.
Virologists warn against restarting too early
The economy in particular had massively pushed for the catering and hotel industries to be opened up.
The trade and many service providers have been open continuously in six out of nine federal states since the beginning of February.
"What we need is a broad upswing for everyone," said the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Harald Mahrer, even before the meeting.
Virologists, meanwhile, warn against restarting too early because of the still unclear tendency in the infection process.
In Vienna, where a strict lockdown with exit restrictions and closed shops will apply until at least May 2nd, Mayor Michael Ludwig was cautious.
He warned against premature openings and the simultaneous opening in many areas.
At the same time, the SPÖ politician said: "May 19th is still a long way off."
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