Fourth wave
Fight against the pandemic: Germany dates Freedom Day and Austria introduces the 2G regulation
The situation in Austria is serious. The dynamism is extraordinary and the occupancy rates in the intensive care beds are increasing significantly faster than expected, ”said Austria’s Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP), explaining the new pandemic measures.
© Michael Gruber / APA / DPA
The pandemic curves in Austria and Germany are almost identical. The course that the countries are following in combating the pandemic is completely different. Germany should orient itself towards its neighbors.
In Germany, the pandemic is drawing to a close, in Austria it is just gaining momentum – at least one might think with a view to the political course. Health Minister Jens Spahn recently proposed an end to the epidemic situation, the traffic light parties support this initiative and at the same time proclaimed Freedom Day, i.e. the end of protective measures, for March 20th. Austria, on the other hand, tightened its pandemic measures by, among other things, introducing a 2G regulation for public life.
At first glance, that seems paradoxical. The Corona curves in Austria and Germany are almost identical and have been more and more aligned since May. In both countries, the annual lows for daily new infections can be dated to July, after which the curves rose and culminated in a new peak at the beginning of September. A dramatic increase has been observed since mid-October. Since then, however, the incidence in Germany has quadrupled, while in Austria it has increased six-fold within almost two months.
Austria sets a record for new infections
And that is where the differences between the two countries begin. In the Alpine republic of almost nine million souls, almost ten thousand people were recently infected with the corona virus (As of November 5th). The country thus reported a record for new infections. Within a week, the number rose by more than 60 percent. The seven-day incidence is currently 566.8.
In Germany, 34,002 people had been infected within the last 24 hours – almost four times as many as in the southern neighbor. Nevertheless, the incidence is currently 183.7 in comparison to many times lower. That has to do with the population, because almost ten times as many people live in Germany as in Austria.
When it comes to vaccination, the country is also behind Germany – and below the EU average. If, according to the vaccination dashboard, 67 percent are fully vaccinated in this country (and almost 70 percent simply), 64 percent of all Austrians are fully immunized. Almost 67 percent received their first dose.
There are also differences with regard to intensive care bed occupancy. In Germany, almost ten percent of intensive care beds are occupied by corona patients, in Austria it is almost twice as many. Nevertheless, the situation there is more relaxed than here. According to the Divi, only 13 percent of intensive care beds in Germany are free (As of November 6th). In Austria it is 34 percent.
Rules of the highest warning level come into force
As different as the number of cases in the two countries are, the fight against the current wave of pandemics is also different. As in some federal states in Germany, a step-by-step plan also applies in Austria. Depending on the capacity utilization of the intensive care units, the protective measures are tightened or relaxed accordingly.
Because over 300 intensive care beds are currently occupied, level 2 should come into force. With the nationwide incidence currently reaching record highs, level three and four rules like that will also apply from November 8th Ministry of Health on its side. The measures of the highest level would actually only have come into force if more than 500 intensive care beds were occupied with corona patients.
“The situation in Austria is serious – as in a number of other European countries. The dynamic is extraordinary and the occupancy rates in the intensive care beds are increasing significantly faster than expected,” said Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP), explaining the decision.
“Green Pass” expires after nine months
The government also plans to take action against those who have not been vaccinated. “The whole thing serves as an incentive. As a strong incentive that people get vaccinated,” said Schallenberg. The new rules include, among other things
- an Austria-wide 2G rule: only those who have been vaccinated twice or have recovered can go to the hairdresser or restaurant. The same applies to hotels, sports cities, hospitals, care facilities and cultural institutions. However, there is a four-week transition period. Once tested, you can gain access with a negative PCR test.
- Only those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered may participate in events with more than 25 people. Events with more than 50 guests must be registered with the district administrative authorities. For this, the organizers have to submit a prevention concept. Events with over 250 people must be officially approved.
- An FFP2 mask is required in shops, museums and libraries
- Antigen tests are to be replaced by PCR tests
- The measures are to be controlled more strictly
- the “green passport”, with which a vaccination is proven, expires nine months after the second spade. Affected people are then considered unvaccinated and have to undergo a booster vaccination. However, a three-week transition period applies here.
It’s not just about the numbers, it’s about the trend
And Germany? At the press conference after the health ministerial conference in Lindau on Lake Constance, Jens Spahn and Klaus Holetschek presented a “paper with initial lessons from the pandemic”. This includes three pandemic measures: the desire for stricter controls of the 3 and 2G rules in everyday life, better protection for vulnerable people and relief for medical facilities, and an offer to refresh the corona vaccination for everyone. Looking at Austria, where the incidence is so much higher, the measures may seem appropriate.
And yet the different pandemic management in Germany and Austria remains a paradox. Because it is not necessarily primarily about the pure numbers, but about the trend that has been set for weeks and is currently not turning around. In terms of incidence, we are in a better position than our neighbor in the south, but here too we are setting records for new infections every day. And looking abroad is currently like looking into the crystal ball – from which, if you read it correctly, you could derive a few helpful measures for yourself.