Year: 2020

In times of Corona Pope calls believers to spend Christmas in a simple manner

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During the Angelus prayer on the first Sunday in Advent, Pope Francis gave the faithful advice on how to spend Christmas in times of the Corona pandemic. The Argentinean Pope called for simplicity, attention to the neighbor and simple prayer in the family. The Pope appealed to the faithful not to fall into pessimism, apathy and reserve in the face of the pandemic and the economic crisis that is causing fear and anxiety to many people. Advent is a “time of hope”: “God is at our side to support us…

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Czech Republic eases measures for the Christmas business

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Czech Republic relaxes its strict coronavirus restrictions for the Christmas business. From Thursday onwards, all retail stores and restaurants will be allowed to open again. This was announced by the government today after a special session of the cabinet. There are strict hygiene rules and a limit of one person per 15 square meters on the number of customers in stores. So far only essential purchases are allowed. The relaxation was originally expected on Monday. In the course of the week, a “further significant improvement of the situation” is expected,…

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Chancellor Kurz continues to anticipate “massive restrictions”

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Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) dampens expectations of an early relaxation of the corona measures after the current lockdown. “We will have to live with further massive restrictions after December 7,” he told the “Kleine Zeitung”. In any case, there would be no “hasty opening steps”. The goal is to take “cautious opening steps” in the retail sector and for schools from December 7. However, this would depend on the number of infections, Kurz said. The higher the numbers are, “the more difficult it will be to set opening steps,”…

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4,047 new infections and 87 corona deaths on Sunday

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The number of new corona infections on Sunday gives us a little hope: 4,047 new infections were reported within 24 hours. But there were 87 fatalities. The number of new infections continues to fall in the hard lockdown. Even though traditionally less testing is done on Sunday, the current figures give hope. In the past 24 hours, 4,047 new infections with the coronavirus were reported to the authorities throughout Austria, most of them in Lower Austria. The comparison with last Sunday is decisive. There were 5,226 positive findings. The current…

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Start of mass tests in Vienna postponed by two days

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The antigen mass testing planned for Wednesday in Vienna will be postponed by two days. As the “Kronen Zeitung” reported and a spokesman for Health City Councilor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) confirmed to the APA on Saturday, the tests are now scheduled to start on Friday, December 4 The IT system could apparently not be put into operation earlier, the office of the Health City Council told the “Krone”. Previously, on Saturday, the Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), had defended the fact that the coronavirus “mass tests” in Vienna would…

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Government provides 14 million for acute emergency aid abroad

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The Austrian government is providing 14.2 million euros from the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) for acute emergency aid in countries in Africa, the Near and Middle East and Asia. This was announced by the office of Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) in a press release. The decision will be made on Wednesday in the ministerial meeting. The funds will go to UN organizations and NGOs such as the Red Cross, which will then provide the aid on the spot. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) sees humanitarian emergency aid as a means…

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The hard, slow way out of the lockdown

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One more week of strict lockdown – and then everything is fine again? Of course not by a long shot. That’s why the question of how life will continue after the strict lockdown, the end of which has been announced for next Sunday, is becoming more and more exciting. It is true that the rules will not be decided until the ministerial meeting next Wednesday. Until then, there will still be discussions, but some things are already emerging. “Kronen Zeitung” published possible lockdown relaxations starting December 7, 2020. . Let’s…

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Italy is facing Christmas with closed restaurants

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Italy, a country of gastronomy, is facing a Christmas with closed restaurants and bars. The curfew of 22.00 to 6.00 o’clock, which came into effect at the beginning of November, is to be extended until the end of the celebrations, according to government sources. The government wants to pass a regulation with the anti-CoV requirements for the Christmas season next week. Anyone travelling abroad must undergo a quarantine after returning home. The government thus wants to prevent tourists from spending a skiing vacation in neighboring countries, including Austria. The government…

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Anschober: Decline in new infections continues

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“Before the last week of the lockdown, new infections are falling again for the first time,” said Health Minister Rudolf Anschober today. This also applies to hospitalizations and the seriously ill in intensive care units. A particularly strong and committed final week is now needed. “Let’s all now show once again that we can make a strong contribution, reduce direct contacts and consistently adhere to the minimum distance, hygiene regulations and all prescribed measures,” said the head of department. The next week must bring a record number of new infections.…

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