The National Council has legally ended the corona pandemic. With votes from the government parties, the Covid transfer law was passed on Wednesday. This means that from June 30, Covid-19 will be treated like all other non-notifiable infectious diseases.
Tests for people showing symptoms will remain free – unlike the draft assessment – Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Die Grünen) said. Vaccinations are also still free and can be used, as are private sector tests. However, from June 30, the reporting obligation for a Covid infection no longer applies.
This means that a “long-awaited decision is finally being put into practice,” said ÖVP MP Werner Saxinger. A special position for Covid in relation to non-notifiable diseases is no longer appropriate.
Countries can continue to open vaccine lines if necessary, said Green Health spokesman Ralph Schallmeiner. Virus surveillance remains in effect.
Criticism from NEOS and SPÖ
While free testing for people with symptoms and continued monitoring are positive, the law is tough, NEOS health spokeswoman Fiona Fiedler said. It’s about grants – “Unfortunately, we don’t see what the funds are used for and whether they are used for their intended purpose,” she said. SPÖ mandatary Rudolf Silvan urged free testing, “at least for vulnerable groups”.
The Covid transfer law does not restore “the normal state that we want,” said FPÖ health spokesman Gerhard Kaniak, who reported data protection concerns at times.
According to Rauch, work is underway to amend the epidemic law, which Kaniak and Silvan criticized for the lack of. In addition, a pandemic plan will be presented in the coming weeks, in which the experiences from the corona pandemic should be taken into account.
This should show, for example, which bodies should be convened in the event of a pandemic, which measures should be taken and how one can return to a “transitional phase”, according to Rauch.
Further resolutions in the National Council
An amendment to the Narcotics Act and the Pharmacy Act was also adopted unanimously. The ability for physicians to issue a permanent substitution prescription for addicts under conditions with the endorsement “Viding Not Required”.
The Pharmacy Act prohibits the issuing of prescriptions for medicines and the free choice of pharmacy is explicitly enshrined in the law. Another change makes it possible for community pharmacies to set up collection cabinets or collection stations for the delivery of over-the-counter medicines for end users. The collection stations must be directly connected to the relevant pharmacy.
Source: Krone
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