Germany to relax Covid entry rules as of June 1

Because of the falling Corona case numbers, Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wants to relax the rules for entry into the Federal Republic over the summer months. “Until the end of August, we will suspend the 3G rule on entry,” the SPD politician told the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers. From June 1, travel returnees and other entrants thus no longer have to prove that they are vaccinated, recovered, or tested. The currently valid Corona entry regulation still requires 3G proof for all persons over twelve years of age until May 31.…

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A summer almost without a mask: What will be the consequences?

Health Minister Johannes Rauch spoke of a “breathing space” when he announced Tuesday the suspension of mandatory masks in supermarkets and public transportation for three months starting June 1. It will only continue to apply in hospitals and retirement homes. Mandatory vaccination also remains suspended. Vienna, however, is taking a stricter approach, as it has done before: people will still have to wear an FFP2 mask in public transport, pharmacies, and doctors’ offices. This was announced by Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) on Tuesday. “There are more virus mutations, so it…

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PCR testing in schools: No longer required as of June

Mandatory PCR testing will be eliminated at schools starting in June. If there are cases in a class, antigen testing can still be done. This step is in line with other actions taken by the federal government, Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) stressed to APA. “Today, the last measure in the school can be canceled.” The reason given for the discontinuation is the steady decline in the number of positive corona tests in recent weeks. HE SAID whether PCR tests would be conducted again at the start of school in…

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Exceptional spread: monkeypox still containable for WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to view the containment of monkeypox as possible, even though it considers the recent outbreak outside of Africa to be exceptional. More meetings would be scheduled to support and advise relevant authorities in different countries on combatting the disease, the U.N. health agency said Tuesday. So far, more than 250 cases of monkeypox have been reported to WHO from 16 countries. However, this number of confirmed infections and suspected cases only affects countries where the viral disease had not previously been regularly clustered, WHO…

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FFP2 mask obligation in Viennese public transport remains

Vienna is again taking the stricter Corona route: even after June 1, the FFP2 mask requirement will remain in public transport, pharmacies, surgeries, and hospitals. FFP2 mask requirement drops from JuneVienna’s provincial government deviates from the federal government’s mask exemption. As Mayor Michael Ludwig announced after a meeting of his crisis team, FFP2 masks will continue to be required to be worn in public transport, pharmacies, surgeries, and hospitals. The mayor pointed out that these are particularly vulnerable settings. Vienna again takes a stricter approach to Corona measuresThe mayor emphasized…

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Climate change, pandemic, and war: here’s what the future holds

A dangerous mix of environmental and security crises, pandemics, and armed conflicts currently paints a frightening future. The research institute “Sipri” sees complex risks for peace globally. In a report published on Monday, political decision-makers have not yet been prepared for this “new age of risks,” warn the peace researchers from Stockholm. The “Sipri” report specifically addresses environmental crises, scarcity of resources, extinction of species – security crises, and other threats. EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström expresses alarm: “The mix is toxic, profound and damaging. And institutions with the power…

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Book Launching of “Common Diversities”-

The Sentro ng Wika at Kultura ng Austria at Pilipinas (Zentrum für österreichische und philippinische Kultur und Sprache) invites everyone to the book presentation of the book “Common Diversities” – Junge Filipinos im deutschsprachigen Raum to be held on June 15, 2022, 18.00 to 20.00 Hours, at the Small Ceremonial Hall, University of Vienna, University Ring 1, 1010 Vienna. According to the organizers, the event will include panel discussions with the authors and experts about the book’s theme. Since there are limited seats available, the organizers of the Book Launching…

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Austria: New Corona rules as of June 1

Masks are mandatory only in health care settings as of June 1. No more Corona tests in schools. The FFP2 mask requirement will be paused from June 1 in supermarkets and public transport. However, mandatory masks will continue to apply in the health sector.The Minister of Health expects that mandatory masks will be required again starting in the fall. In addition, PCR tests will no longer take place at schools from June 1. Mandatory vaccination remains suspended. Call for Corona vaccination to follow in September. The Federal government announced far-reaching…

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Vienna earns half a billion euros from parking fees

Vienna collected more than half a billion euros in fees last year. These include the dog tax but also parking space management. For some, it’s a rip-off; for others, it’s a long-overdue means of curbing individual traffic: the citywide parking sticker. However, for the city, it means one thing above all: additional revenue of a whopping 54 million euros. Whereas in 2021, the city would have collected 117 million euros, the figure will be 171 million euros this year. But the Viennese also have to pay other fees, such as…

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