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Austria’s Health minister leaves, new Corona rules will be implemented. Experts warn that they come far too soon, given the numbers.
The news caused a domestic political tremor yesterday: Shortly before the repeal of almost all Corona measures, Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) withdrew from his department. It is no secret that he has often had to take responsibility for opening measures that seemed too early. In particular, according to reports, he did not want to support the repeal of the steps that are due tomorrow.
The Federal government is sticking to its plans despite all the warnings. An ordinance will regulate the Covid rules. According to this, the G-rules is as good as history, and the curfew that is still in force will also be abolished. Only the obligation to wear a mask will remain in certain places. Regardless of the high number of cases, almost all Corona measures will be dropped tomorrow – everywhere except in Vienna, which is also choosing a stricter or more cautious path this time.
High infection figures. Experts express skepticism
One thing is clear: the pandemic is anything but over. This is confirmed every day by the high number of infections. Yesterday, 31,566 were recorded, less than the 39,439 recorded on Wednesday – the second-highest number since the pandemic’s beginning. According to the forecasting consortium, the number of new infections will remain very high for some time to come. This is partly due to the omicron variant and the planned opening steps.
The numbers are also why numerous experts consider them too early. “There is no reason to open at all, that you drop everything, I find richly courageous,” says virologist Dorothee von Laer about the developments of the numbers, as published by the “Kronen Zeitung.” Epidemiologist Gerald Gartlehner also says: “To open everything now is exactly the opposite of what you would do epidemiologically with such high infection numbers.” Epidemiologist Eva Schernhammer also has concerns, saying the openings would come “a touch too early.” Complexity researcher Peter Klimek, on the other hand, speaks of a “tightrope walk” when it comes to opening steps. Virtually all experts agree that the mask requirement should be retained in all indoor areas. Many experts also advocate having the 3-G rules for events and nighttime gastro.
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