After the Minister of Health was still very reluctant to wear masks, the first signals are now coming from the federal states – so there is apparently no special headwind for a possible comeback of this protective measure. While NEOS and FPÖ can do little with a new commitment, the SPÖ would like to “listen to experts” on the matter.
The government continues to send mixed signals on this point: Green Club chairman Sigrid Maurer announced on Sunday that the mask requirement would return indoors, on public transport and also in the supermarket. Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) did not want to decide at a press conference on Tuesday whether the mask requirement would come if the development remained the same.
Green vague, ÖVP silent
In other European countries there are currently few or no corona measures. The decision will depend on the capacity load and staff shortages in the hospitals. The situation there has been stable so far. In any case, a decision must be made before October 23, because then the current Corona Measures Regulation will expire. For the time being, there is no statement from coalition partner ÖVP.
Insist on a “uniform solution”
Although NEOS and FPÖ are clearly against the reintroduction of a mask requirement, there is a willingness in the states to talk about it. Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) of Burgenland calls for a uniform solution from the federal government. Given the increasing number of infections, vaccination is the most important factor for him.
Doskozil therefore announced a vaccination campaign in Burgenland: “You have to send a signal to the population that the most important thing is to get vaccinated now,” he said. The number of hospital admissions is also increasing slightly in Burgenland. However, no operations have been postponed yet: “It is going according to plan,” said the governor.
Mask probably the “least means”
“It is clear that as the number of infections and diseases continues to rise, wearing FFP2 masks indoors is one of the mildest ways to protect yourself and others,” the office of Carinthian Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ) said on Tuesday. . He also argues “reasonably” for a national uniform scheme. However, keep in mind that wearing the FFP2 mask is a challenge for employees and possibly school children.
Wallner: Public acceptance “pretty high”
Vorarlberg Governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP) spoke out in favor of a “nationally coordinated path”. If the infection rate continues to rise, then for him the reintroduction of the obligation to wear a mask – for example on public transport – is “fundamentally imaginable” – also because the acceptance of the mask has been quite high in the past. What is no longer an option for him in the current time are limitations, for example at events.
Salzburg Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) spoke out in favor of a national solution given the currently relatively small regional differences in infection incidence. “I’m not a friend of other rules,” he told the APA. He is quite emotionless about the reintroduction of the mask requirement in public space. “If she’s medically necessary, she’ll come back.”
Styria: no obligation for employees
In Styria, the responsibility is shifting towards the federal government: Governor Christopher Drexler argued that the states should not do it alone, but that expert committees should decide on the necessity. Styrian Health Minister Juliane Bogner-Strauß (ÖVP) could envision a mask requirement on public transport or food markets again, but one can currently waive a mask requirement for workers.
Governor of Lower Austria Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) said on request: “We have a very clear position that Lower Austria is not going its own way in this area, but that we are following the recommendation of the Ministry of Health.”
Is Vienna getting tighter again?
Vienna is the only federal state that is currently taking a more cautious approach. Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) referred to this: “We are the only federal state that has consistently maintained the obligation to wear masks on public transport.” And he stressed: “We will continue to do so. Whether additional measures will be taken will be decided in consultation with my expert council, whom I have trusted very much during the pandemic. These discussions will take place quickly and then we will make the decision.”
In any case, Vienna expects the autumn wave to peak in the next two weeks, a spokesman for Health Councilor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) said at the request of APA. There are also forecasts for the expected load in hospitals. For the time being, however, it is not yet possible to predict whether planned interventions will be postponed again. However, this cannot be ruled out, the hacker bureau emphasizes.
NEOS continues to rely on personal responsibility
SPÖ deputy club boss Jörg Leichtfried said on the reintroduction issue that you should follow the experts here. “In any case, it is not something that should be casually announced during a televised discussion,” he said at a news conference on Tuesday. NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger doesn’t see why a mask requirement should be reintroduced. She simply sees “no big effect” in this.
The liberal state party and club chairman in the Lower Austrian state parliament, Udo Landbauer, also speaks out clearly against the obligation to wear a mask and also against the health minister. “Your own inability to compensate with a mask requirement for the population is unacceptable in any case.”
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
