Austria: Ski resorts are evolving into coronavirus outbreaks

The popular winter tourism areas of western Austria are evolving into coronavirus outbreaks as the number of cases has skyrocketed and many tourism businesses have been forced to close due to staff shortages.

In Tyrol alone at least 111 ski instructors are positive for the coronavirus, while in downtown Kitzbühel the rate of new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days has reached 1144.2, when in the whole country it is limited to 261. In Flachau, Salzburg, the The index exceeded 7,627, with the authorities pointing out, however, that the reference population is the permanent population of each area, excluding seasonal workers and visitors.

In Zelden and Lech am Arlberg, the first businesses – hotels and restaurants – have already closed due to staff shortages, as a large number of workers have been infected with the coronavirus. Kitzbühel Tourism Owners President Christian Harris, speaking to the Tiroler Tageszeitung, expressed concern that the situation would be generalized and noted the lack of adequate “quarantine hotels” for those infected and unable to leave the area by private car. . Mr. Harris also called for the lifting of the quarantine requirement for those who have been vaccinated twice or the imposition of a one-week general lockdown on Tourism from January 10.

One of the sectors most affected is that of ski instructors, who arrive in the hundreds by the area for the winter tourist season and stay in special accommodation for staff, often in shared rooms, which facilitates the transmission of the virus. The government in Tyrol had made a “strong recommendation” to ski schools to impose a 2G + rule (diagnostic tests even on vaccinated / sick) instructors, but the president of the Ski School Association, Richard Walter, referred to the French system, which provides for the relaxation of quarantine terms. As he said, most of the instructors who have been infected do not show any symptoms, while in the meantime they have stopped the group lessons.

As for the Alpine Ski World Cup races scheduled for January 11-16 and January 21-25 in Flachau, Chauchenzee, Kitzbühel and Slandming, Flachau Mayor Thomas Oberaich organizers take care of the creation of a special environment – “bubble” – safety, with a specific health protocol and strict restriction of contacts. In addition, there will be no spectators.

SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ

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Source From: Capital

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