SPÖ and FPÖ are outraged by the government’s approach to abolish free corona tests. Red deputy club boss Jörg Leichtfried criticized that the arrangement had again come too late. It was “absolutely inappropriate,” he said. The ordinance, which was only published on Wednesday evening, can only be described as a top-notch April Fool’s Day joke, said FPÖ health spokesman Gerhard Kaniak. Criticism also came from the ÖGB.
The government’s approach was “so botched by craftsmanship” that “functioning test systems were destroyed”. For the umpteenth time, no one will know the way, says Leichtfried, who emphasized that according to his information, the regulation was only available today (Thurs) at 10:45 am. As for the lack of lead times, this is “an almost unbelievable scandal”.
Criticism also from the ÖGB
Sharp criticism of the federal government’s approach to the Covid testing regulation also came from the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB). “Announcing a regulation a few hours before it goes into effect is the opposite of sensible pandemic management. Such an approach makes any planning certainty impossible – both for the federal states, which have to implement the regulations, as well as for the employees and all other parties involved. What the federal government is doing here is simply irresponsible,” lamented Ingrid Reischl, the senior secretary of the ÖGB.
Reischl also criticizes the regulation itself, which raises more questions than it answers. “The regulation does not provide comprehensive access for people who want to visit high-risk people who are not in healthcare facilities or hospitals. In addition, there are no clear rules about how often professions in vulnerable settings are tested, nor are there any specifications to ensure low-threshold access for the five PCR tests or the testing of suspects,” Reischl said in a broadcast.
FPÖ health spokesman Kaniak was also outraged. “What the hell has the Green Minister of Health Rauch come up with. Even this health minister cannot assert himself nor ensure orderly conditions.”
Kaniak calls on government to resign
Thousands of tests stored in people’s homes should be thrown in the trash. Money does not play a role with black and green, of course, according to Kaniak. He called for the resignation of the entire government and new elections.
Source: Krone

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