May 2021 – Opening in Austria is “realistic” – if infection numbers decrease

As announced by the Federal Government from today’s press conference, chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced that with the planned vaccination progress, there should then be clear opening steps at the beginning of May, which are already in preparation, Kurz said. Culture, sports, tourism and gastronomy may open up in May. In order to prepare these, a commission is to be established. The social partners are to be represented in this commission, as well as the association of cities and municipalities, the chairman of the provincial governors’ conference and representatives of the…

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Lockdown in Easter Austria is extended until 18 April 2021

Instead of April 11, the lockdown for the eastern states will now last until April 18. Accordingly, retail, personal service providers and, for example, museums and zoos will remain closed until April 18. Schools will remain in Distance Learning. Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland agreed on a corresponding procedure at a summit in the Chancellor’s Office. Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler announced the details in a joint press conference with Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig, Governor Hermann Schützenhöfer and Oswald Wagner, Vice Rector for Clinical Affairs at…

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Corona: 1,935 new infections in Austria

34,188 active cases. All current figures on the Corona pandemic at a glance. What is the next step in the lockdown? The federal government is discussing this today together with the opposition, experts and the state governors. Decisive for the outcome of today’s summit, apart from the situation in the intensive care units, is the current infection situation. This was constant to slightly decreasing over the Easter holidays – Austria is currently holding at a 7-day incidence of 228. From Easter Monday to Tuesday, 1,935 new infections were reported. This…

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Commentary: Private meetings are dangerously selfish

Going to the park with friends or having tea with relatives. Such private meeting could turn into zillions of Corona risks. Unless one has a negative test result.As if there is no temporal horizon, no hope, confidence, outlook, this is how many people privately treat their Corona risks. “Enough is enough” is the refrain of many private groups. Invitations are extended to dinners, family celebrations, visits to neighbors in the living room. It’s time to celebrate birthdays again, to sit together a bit, to resume the skat evening, to watch…

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Today snow and frost prevail, from Friday temperature rises by good 20 degrees

This week, a massive blast of cold air brings snow and frost. Fruit growers must tremble for their harvest in this April winter. A strong cold front will reach the Alps on Monday night and subsequently wintry air from the polar region will flow into Austria. Thus, it will be extremely cold for the season and there are snow showers down to low altitudes. According to the experts of the Austrian Severe Weather Center, up to half a meter of fresh snow will fall in the Northern Alps until Thursday.…

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Almost 7000 new infections, seven-day incidence drops to 123.0

Germany – Health offices in Germany have reported 6885 new Corona infections to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) within one day. In addition, 90 new deaths were recorded within 24 hours. This is according to figures released by the RKI on Tuesday morning. Exactly one week ago, the RKI had recorded 9549 new infections and 180 new deaths within one day. The RKI points out that around the Easter holidays in many places usually less tests are made and reported. In addition, it could be that not all health offices…

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Schools in the eastern part of Austria switching back to Distance Learning

In Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, students are switching back to distance learning for four days today. For the under-14s, there will once again be a childcare service at the schools if required. As with face-to-face classes, the prerequisite for taking advantage of this service is the completion of a negative “nose-picking” test. In the other federal provinces, the same school schedule as before Easter is on the agenda at the elementary schools – i.e. attendance classes on all four days at the elementary schools, and shift work at the…

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Sufficient vaccine now in sight – the schedule

Today, Tuesday, a Corona summit in Austria will take place. The government is once again discussing the situation with experts, the opposition and state governors, and a press conference is planned for the afternoon. Beforehand, Chancellor Kurz promised: everyone can get vaccinated in the next 100 days. In Austria, there are 7,531,239 vaccine-eligible people (all residents over the age of 16). In total, only about five million Austrians, estimates the Ministry of Health. 1,270,558 (16.38 percent) received a first dose, and 488,062 (6.29 percent) already have full vaccination protection. To…

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