The comeback of the mandatory use of FFP2 masks

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The possible tightening and reintroducing protective measures have been a considerable discussion in the health sector during the past days, as the number of COVID infections continues to rise in Austria, including the comeback of the mandatory use of FFP2 masks.

At the moment, masks are only compulsory in vital areas throughout Austria. So in the supermarket, in public means of transport, pharmacies and banks. The city of Vienna takes a stricter approach; here, masks are compulsory in all indoor areas, including shops and concerts. And the federal government may follow suit. After all, the infection figures are still exceptionally high.

The Ministry of Health said it was waiting for the meeting of the Gecko crisis management team on Friday afternoon. Medical experts and members of Gecko have repeatedly deposited that they consider the relaxations wrong and too generous. Some considered withdrawing from the panel, and Health Minister Johannes Rauch admitted in an interview with KURIER newspaper that he was not entirely happy with the early opening.

However, whether the mask requirement will come Austria-wide depends on the medical advisors and the lawyers in the GECKO commission. The fundamental right’s arguments are not without exception on the side of the mask advocates. The reason is the justification for protective measures that have been used as an argumentative basis over the years, namely that Austria’s health care system would face collapse without restrictions, is more challenging to sustain with the new virus variants. As a reminder, despite record-breaking infection rates of between 30,000 and 60,000 people a day, the burden placed on intensive care units by covid patients remains green. If so, policymakers would have to argue that the normal-bed-burden number is now being used as a significant factor. Arguing that is one thing. The other is proceedings already underway by citizens who appeal to the Constitutional Court over what they see as disproportionately harsh restrictions. A decision on the mask requirement is expected later today, Friday.