- Title: 239 AT COVID-19 Presser
- Date: 21st April 2020
- Description:Austrian government announces further relaxation of restrictions The Austrian government stresses in a press conference the positive trend in new corona infections so that an easing of COVID-19 restrictions as of May will be possible. From 1 May, all shops will be allowed to open again, schools will also be brought back to work step by step. And the pubs may open again from 15 May. However, distance and hygiene rules will continue to apply in all cases of relaxation. Shotlist - SOUNDBITE (German) Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor Austria: “The curfew will continue in the current form until the end of April, we will present the new rules as of 1st of May next Tuesday. 1st of May all shops will be allowed to open, but also services such as hair dressers, pedicure, manicure, etc. of course it will be also necessary for this context to wear masks and to take care of the safety distance. Concerning the schools we have a clear plan. As of 4th of May the baccalaureate and final apprenticeship examination preps begin. It is our objective that from 15th May on the lessons for the other school levels can start step by step. At the public services the front office will work as of 15th of May. The gastronomy will also open 15th of May, but opening hours will be limited to 1100 p.m. every day and for gastronomy staff the use of masks will be compulsive. From 15th of May on church services will also be allowed, of course also with special restrictions and safety requirements for health protection. Please don’t count too early on unrestricted freedom of travel across Europe, we are coordinating with the other European countries – the European Commission stipulates that all member states must first find adequate rules with their neighbours. We are particularly in contact with countries that are as successful as we are, e.g. with our German and Czech neighbours. My special thanks to all Austrians, you made it possible that Austria is now in a better condition than other countries, but it remains in our common responsibility that we continue together in this successful way.“ - SOUNDBITE (German) Werner Kogler, Vice Chancellor Austria: “That may concern some areas earlier, step by step means that things don’t happen all at the same time, that makes a sense. Often it does not seem logical why one thing happens before and the other later, some would say that another order would be better, but the important thing is that not everything happens at once.” - SOUNDBITE (German) Rudolf ANschober, Health minister Austria: “We stop at 14.845 ill persons until now and what is the best of all, for three days the number of new cases every day is double-digit, speaking in absolute numbers: the number of new cases increased by 78 from yesterday to today."
- Collection: ORF
- Genre:News
- Producer:ORF
- Transmission Date:21/04/2020
- Decade: 2020s