After Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) announced national relaxation of the corona measures on Thursday afternoon, the Vienna alderman for Health Peter Hacker (SPÖ) also spoke. “We will follow the path of Health Minister Rauch as much as possible. The regulations surrounding 2G would expire, including in night catering, in sports accommodations and the like. The new regulation should come into effect on Friday at midnight.
In Vienna, the use of hospitals was mainly observed. According to Hacker, the highest point was reached there only a week ago. At that time, more than 700 patients with a corona infection should have been cared for.
“Now it’s different,” says the alderman for Public Health. “The number of new admissions is falling sharply, as is the infection rate.” The new arrangement will therefore take effect from Saturday in Vienna. The path mapped out by Health Minister Rauch is being “followed as far as possible”.
PCR testing needed in healthcare
Hacker explained that the “regulation of 2G” will be terminated by decree from midnight on Friday. This also applies to night gastronomy, in hospitals and nursing homes and indoors in general – for example in sports facilities. However, visitors are only allowed to enter hospitals, residential and healthcare facilities with a valid, negative PCR certificate. There is a 2.5G requirement for employees – ie vaccinated, recovered or PCR tested. There is also a PCR screening that takes place twice a week.
By the way: the mayor of Vienna was unable to attend the press event himself because he is in quarantine because of Corona. “The decrease in the number of infections now allows us to relax accordingly,” wrote Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) shortly after the easing was announced.
Shortened test validity remains
The “reduced validity periods” remain in effect in Vienna, added Hacker’s spokesman, Mario Dujakovic. PCR tests are valid for 48 hours after sampling, rapid antigen tests for 24 hours. “FFP2 masks are mandatory for visitors in retirement homes and nursing homes,” says Dujakovic via Twitter. Visits are not limited. The FFP2 mask requirement does not apply to indoor events. “This means that the federal rules also apply to all meetings/events in Vienna.”
The period of validity of the new scheme corresponds to that of the national scheme. “It’s valid until July 8, so until the start of the holiday,” Hacker says. The corona situation is still “closely monitored”. There is good monitoring in Vienna, with which one will observe the development “in the coming weeks, in the summer and beyond”.
Green traffic light possible at the beginning of May
The city council assumes that the Corona traffic light in Vienna will be switched to yellow, i.e. medium risk, for the next two weeks. At the end of April, beginning of May, the green zone with a low risk is approached. Hacker expects the numbers to go up and down in May, and it could fall further in June. However, like almost all experts, he expects a new wave before the fall.
Measures fall nationally
The Minister of Health had already appeared before the press on Thursday afternoon. The situation with new infections has eased considerably, he said. Resources at the federal level: The indoor mask requirement is falling – from Saturday it will only apply to public transport, hospitals and nursing homes, as well as essential trade. In addition, the validity of the Green Passport will be extended.
Source: Krone
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