Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) is now pushing for faster measures against the increase in corona infections. The “very rapidly increasing numbers” would actually require that the three planned stages be summarized and “implemented very promptly,” he said on Saturday, according to the Ö1 “morning journal”. After the government’s consultations with the provincial governors on Wednesday, he was still satisfied – after criticizing the hesitant approach in advance.
“I am pleased that the consistent Viennese way is supported,” said Ludwig, who welcomed the package of measures that had been put together. Now, however, he is “convinced that we have to proceed much more consistently”. He believed that one could not wait, “looping-in regulations” were no longer appropriate, he said on Saturday in the “Morgenjournal”.
Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) defended the plan, pointing out that decisions would only be implemented if they were made on a broad basis. The fact that in stages 2 and 3 measures only come into effect seven days after the limit values have been exceeded – which in turn caused a lot of criticism – he justified with the fact that this was “transparent”. It takes time before the measures can be communicated to the population.
The plan announced on Wednesday provides for three stages, depending on the utilization of the intensive care units. From September 15, or at 10 percent intensive occupancy, FFP2 mask compulsory applies again where mouth and nose protection is currently required (i.e. shops for basic daily needs) – and for unvaccinated people in the entire trade. In addition, “3G” then applies to events from 25 people, antigen tests are only valid for 24 hours.
Level 2 (which is expected at the beginning of October) comes into effect seven days after the 15 percent occupancy has been exceeded: 2G applies to night-time restaurants and events without seats with over 500 visitors, only those who have been vaccinated or recovered are allowed in. If more than 20 percent of the intensive care beds are corona-occupied, then – seven days later – antigen tests in level 3 lose their validity in “3G” areas. Access is only possible for those who have been vaccinated, those who have recovered and who have a PCR test.