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The government on Friday went into reverse gear in the face of persistently high new infections and announced a new lockdown after Christmas. Christmas can still take place “as planned,” but measures will be tightened again from Dec. 26, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said.
- Commerce and body-related services will be closed until January 18, and restaurants and hotels will also remain closed.
- All-day curfew restrictions will again apply – including on New Year’s Eve. Neither public nor private fireworks are to be approved.
The lockdown will last even longer – until 24 January – for all those who do not take part in the second round of mass tests in mid-January.
Participation in the mass tests planned for 15 to 17 January will thus de facto no longer be voluntary. This is because only those who can show a negative test will be allowed to use the facilities that will reopen on January 18 – from retail to culture and gastronomy.
And as of January 18, exit restrictions will also be relaxed only for those who can show a negative test.
Contrary to the last plans, the schools will not start on January 11, but already on January 7, as usual, but in distance learning. Starting from 18 January instruction is to take place again locally.
Cable cars and lifts can open from Christmas after all. The decision lies with the federal states, which receive minimum requirements from the federal government. A FFP2 mask must be worn. Cross-country ski trails will also remain open and ice skating will be allowed.
A nationwide test infrastructure will be set up by mid-January. - Chancellor Kurz:n”This is the only way to reopen tourism, culture and gastronomy in times of pandemic and at the same time prevent the numbers from exploding again.”
- – hector pascua, Source. press conferenceof the federal government live via orf.at on December 18, 2020. picture: pixabay.com
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