To protect the elderly population from the corona virus, all persons over 65 years of age are to receive ten free FFP2 protective masks. The Minister of Health is to be authorized to make these masks available, according to an amendment submitted to the APA. The cost of this is estimated at 24 million euros in the turquoise-green amendment, which will be discussed in the Health Committee on Tuesday.
The aim of the masks action is to provide the elderly population group, which is in need of special protection, with “access to high-quality respiratory masks at the lowest possible threshold”, according to the justification of the motion drafted by the ÖVP and the Greens. “Ten masks at a time are to be sent by the Austrian postal service directly to households, so that as few contacts as possible are required by the target group to be protected to obtain this important protective equipment,” according to the text of the bill.
The ten FFP2 masks per person are intended to enable this “particularly vulnerable group” to “adequately protect themselves until the anticipated availability of a COVID 19 vaccination”. To enable the masks to be shipped, the Minister of Health will be able to query the central register of residents, it is further said. It is not specified when the masks will be sent. In order to implement this measure, the amendment is intended to amend a turquoise-green initiative proposal, which is being discussed in committee, accordingly.
hp, Source: ORF.at/agencies, picture: pixabay.com
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