Enlarge image
Corona protective mask (in Vienna)
Photo: Georg Hochmuth / dpa
Despite a current wave of infections, Austria is relaxing its corona rules.
As of this Monday, there is no longer an obligation to isolate infected people.
Anyone who has tested positive for the virus but does not feel sick can still leave the house.
However, those who test positive must wear an FFP2 mask – unless they are outdoors and can keep a distance of two meters from other people.
It is therefore also possible to work with a positive corona test, but only in professions in which a mask can be worn.
Infected people are even allowed to go to events and, for example, in swimming pools or restaurants;
however, they must wear a mask at all times - eating or drinking is expressly not permitted.
On the other hand, old people’s and nursing homes as well as health facilities and kindergartens may not be entered by infected people – unless you work there.
The government in Vienna announced the easing last week.
The decision was made with a view to the psychological and social consequences of the corona crisis, said Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) a few days ago.
Anxiety and depression have increased worldwide.
"We're simply going into a new phase of fighting the pandemic well prepared," said Rauch.
"We can't test the pandemic away, we can't vaccinate it away, we can't isolate it away."
Furthermore, there is an obligation to report in order to keep an overview of the course of the disease.
Requirements for travelers to France are no longer applicable
Rauch referred to international role models such as Denmark, Norway, Great Britain, Spain and Switzerland.
The isolation there has been abolished for months without major consequences.
This Monday, France is going one step further - and abolishing all measures.
There is no mask requirement in hospitals or similar facilities.
Last week, the French Ministry of Health “very urgently appealed” to all French people to continue to wear mouth and nose protection in sensitive areas.
The country had recently fought a seventh wave of corona, but the number of infections fell again last week.
The abolition of the pandemic restrictions also applies to travelers to France.
Proof of the corona vaccination protection, a negative test or the recovered status is no longer required as of this Monday.
However, the possibility of mandatory corona tests at the national borders still remains.
So far, travelers entering the country either had to be fully vaccinated or be able to show a current negative corona test. For travelers from the EU and some other countries, proof of a recently recovered infection was also accepted.
This is now usually no longer necessary.
However, if dangerous virus variants occur, the government can order that travelers must present a negative test before boarding a plane to France.
asc/dpa/AFP