The state governors are basically satisfied with the end of most corona measures announced for March, but some have reservations. Carinthia is cautious, the Styrian head of state Hermann Schützenhöfer (ÖVP) also prepares the complete opening “stomach ache”. Salzburg’s head of state Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) would like to seek the advice of scientists again before March 5th. For Burgenland’s governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ), a lot has remained open.
After the Corona summit with the federal government, the Carinthian governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ) declared that Carinthia was on board with the easing. However, with reservations, as he told journalists. “We’ll support it if the forecasts come true and the numbers allow it.” Kaiser advocated that the corona tests should remain free, at least as long as tests were a prerequisite for access to hospitals or homes, for example.
“The pandemic is not over, but the development is going in a direction that allows relaxation,” said the governor. In Carinthia, the peak of the omicron wave was delayed, so there is currently a very high incidence. Therefore, one cannot say with certainty that the federal government’s schedule will be implemented. Kaiser: “But if it goes down accordingly, we will also be there in terms of the schedule.” However, he continued to urge caution and appealed to the population not to throw protective measures such as masks, distance and hygiene overboard. The experts agreed to the federal government’s proposals, Kaiser said when asked by the APA, but only on the condition that the forecasters’ predictions actually come true. The development cannot be estimated exactly, as it is still unclear how the BA2 variant of the virus will behave, which represents an uncertainty factor.
“We will get back the freedom we’ve been talking about for two years,” said Schützenhöfer to the APA. The big opening steps would have to do with a stable situation in the hospitals – “that is and remains the most important thing”. Therefore, “we can free ourselves from the restrictions”. When asked, experts who were present at the virtual meeting said that it was not a Pyrrhic victory and that the easing was justifiable. The vaccination rate is good enough, but it needs to be increased further. For those who have not been vaccinated, the opening steps are seen as a “golden bridge” to be vaccinated without pressure.
All of this was in his interest, explained Schützenhöfer. But “I already have a bit of a stomach ache about the full opening on March 5, but who dares wins and if that would lead to an upward trend in the special class in infections, action would have to be taken anyway. But you have now decided to take a bigger step.”
In Salzburg, they were satisfied with the result of today’s summit in a first statement: “We welcome the fact that there is now clarity regarding the path of the openings on February 19th and March 5th,” Haslauer’s spokesman told APA. Before March 5th, Salzburg will have its own scientific loop to address the individual corona situation in Salzburg. The measures taken by the federal government would only define the lower edge, the federal state could still take its own measures if these were necessary.
An aerosol specialist and a sociologist also belong to the international commission of experts, which is supposed to shed light on the situation in Salzburg. If the scientists come to the conclusion that other measures are necessary, they would be communicated to the public in good time before March 5, it said.
As far as the test strategy is concerned, Haslauer advocated that the federal government find a uniform solution. For sensitive areas, the tests should continue to be free. “My approach is that regulatory testing and where you absolutely need it will remain free. All other, voluntary test options should no longer be offered free of charge,” explained Haslauer.
In principle, Doskozil also welcomed the opening steps, in Burgenland a clear easing of the situation was recognizable. Under no circumstances should you make the same mistakes as last year. Many experts agree that the likelihood of the situation deteriorating again in autumn is realistic. It is therefore necessary to have a clear timetable for the coming months. Burgenland will present such a strategy, Doskozil assured.
The procedure in schools has now also remained open, in particular how to deal with the obligation to wear masks for teaching staff and the continuation of the test strategy. The procedure for compulsory vaccination has also remained open. A Commission decision was promised before March 15th, which may lead to a temporary suspension of compulsory vaccination. “I would have expected this decision today, since it is a clear contradiction to go into a 3G system on February 19th or to generally abandon the 2 and 3G system on March 5th, but at the same time to carry out the vaccination obligation said Doskozil. “Therefore, we in Burgenland are assuming that, even from today’s perspective, there will be no implementation of compulsory vaccination for the next few months.”
Tyrol’s governor Günther Platter (ÖVP) spoke of an “almost complete return to normality” when asked by APA. The federal government’s decision was “completely correct,” said Platter, referring to the mild omicron disease progression and a stable situation in the hospitals – especially in the intensive care units. There is no danger of the health system being overloaded – the Gecko commission of experts drew this “gratifying picture of the situation” during the consultations. “Because the virus will not go away completely”, one must remain vigilant and keep an eye on the situation despite the easing. Personal responsibility will also play a major role in the coming weeks and months – as will vaccination. “The fourth stitch before the cold season will be crucial in order to be as well prepared as possible for the winter,” emphasized the governor.
All measures of the past two years were based on scientific assessments and recommendations, reminded Lower Austria’s governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP). “And that was good and right. It is all the more gratifying that the experts have now come to the conclusion that the opening can be continued.”
