On the occasion of the start of the school on Monday, the city of Vienna asks to carry out a PCR test before we go to school. Although testing is not mandatory nationwide, it is recommended (on a voluntary basis). Municipal councilor for Public Health Peter Hacker (SPÖ) warned on Sunday that one should not be careless.
Hacker is very happy that the Viennese school and health authorities have jointly developed clear guidelines for starting the school despite the challenging situation. “In addition, I ask everyone to take advantage of the Vienna test offer and do a PCR test before school starts.”
“It has always been very important to us that we ensure as much freedom as possible and as few restrictions as possible when school starts. But this freedom also means that we continue to take the pandemic seriously. It is therefore important that we try to prevent infections in schools,” says Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS).
Antigen testing is offered in all schools
In addition, in the first week of school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, all schools offer antigen tests for use by students, teachers and administrative staff. For the second week of school, students can request three rapid antigen tests to use at home, for example on Sunday evening or Monday morning.
Infected students should stay at home, Wiederkehr added. In addition, in Vienna it is recommended that from the second positive case within three days all people in a classroom or group room wear an FFP2 protective mask or mouth and nose protection (children aged 6 to 14 years) for five days.
In addition, school leaders can prescribe antigen testing and a mask requirement for up to two weeks on an ad hoc basis, for example if infections are found in a class.
Teachers who are asymptomatic may continue teaching
All children up to and including the fourth grade who have tested positive are not allowed to go to school anywhere in Austria. Positive children under the age of 11 are also not allowed to attend kindergarten and after-school care, as they are not supposed to wear an FFP2 protective mask at all times. On the other hand, symptom-free teachers and students of secondary level 1 (high school, AHS lower level) are allowed to come to the classroom in Vienna despite being infected with an FFP2 mask.
Different rules in the states
In compulsory schools (which fall under the jurisdiction of the federal states), symptom-free, corona-infected teachers are not allowed in the classroom in most states. Vienna and Burgenland announced this stricter path at the end of July, and Lower Austria and Salzburg recently followed suit. In contrast, in Styria and Vorarlberg, classes can be held with an FFP2 mask. Upper Austria takes a middle course: only primary school teachers are allowed to attend class there, not with an infection.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
