Status: 03/19/2022 03:20 a.m
Despite the high number of infections, Austria had largely abolished the requirement to wear masks indoors. Now the government in Vienna is backing down. The forecasts have worsened since the easing was decided.
In Austria, from the middle of next week, it will again be compulsory to wear FFP2 masks indoors. A corresponding regulation should be available by Wednesday, Health Minister Johannes Rauch announced, according to the Austrian news agency APA.
The Minister of Health justified the measure since the easing was decided.
Rauch: Relaxation was too early
On March 6, Austria largely lifted its corona restrictions despite continued high incidence rates. The obligation to wear an FFP2 mask has been limited to hospitals, public transport and the customer areas of essential shops, among other things.
In the meantime, it has become apparent that the easing came too early, Rauch said, according to APA. In the next two weeks, too, the number of corona infections is expected to be over 50,000 per day.
The Minister of Health also announced that the quarantine regulations for infected employees in hospitals and care facilities would be relaxed. The reason is an overload of the staff due to the high number of patients in the facilities. “The operation can only be maintained with difficulty,” said Rauch, according to the APA.
There is an urgent need for action. However, the new regulations would still be discussed. Employees in Austrian hospitals and care facilities can currently take a free test after five days.