Restaurants, hotels and cultural institutions open in Vienna on 19 May

From May 19, the easing of restrictive measures against him will apply in Vienna as well coronavirus, with the reopening of restaurants, hotels and cultural institutions, as announced by the Austrian government last week.

Speaking at a press conference, the mayor and local governor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, after many hours of consultations with experts, stated that in parallel with the opening, the strategy of PCR tests will continue, The controls will be very strict and after two weeks the situation will be re-evaluated by experts.

There was a “hard lockdown” in Vienna between April 1 and May 3, which was imposed after a sharp increase in intensive care patients, but in the meantime the situation in hospitals has eased and the number of new CoV infections has also decreased significantly.

As of Monday, May 3, and after more than a month, the “hard lockdown” imposed from April 1 in the three eastern Lδαnder of Austria – Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland – has been lifted in Vienna and Lower Austria. (in which the restrictive measures were lifted two weeks ago) – and now retailers and physical care services, such as hairdressers, are reopening under protection measures (mask, test).

Also on Monday, cultural and leisure facilities such as museums and zoos are allowed to open – but under strict security precautions – while in Vienna the mandatory use of a mask outdoors in its five busy squares is abolished.

The end of the “hard lockdown” – which no longer exists in any of the nine Austrian L –nder – also means that the 24-hour curfew in Vienna and Lower Austria, where travel to other areas was possible, is no longer valid by conditions and for a specific purpose.

“Careful opening steps with clear safety plans”

Introducing, recently, the relaxation in catering, tourism, culture and sports from 19 May, In the current restrictive measures against the new coronavirus, Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz had stressed that “the light at the end of the tunnel is close, but we must be careful.”

These are “careful opening steps with clear safety plans”, and thanks to the turbo vaccination, there will be a gradual return to normalcy, he said during the presentation.

The operation of the restaurant starts on Wednesday, May 19, where the use of a mask will apply and entry of personal data, in addition a diagnostic test will be required for entry, with only four people (plus children) allowed at one table and there will be longer distances between tables, while outdoors a maximum of ten people per table.

If one is not sitting at a table, one must wear an FFP2 mask, consumption is allowed only when one is sitting, employees must also wear an FFP2 mask, while, if they have taken a test, a simple protection mask is sufficient.

Similar regulations apply to tourism, while at events, especially in the cultural and sports sectors – where food and drink will not be allowed – the reception facilities, at least indoors, can be used only halfway and in addition upon entry there should be a certification of either a negative test, or a vaccination, or that someone has recovered from a coronavirus.

Under these regulations, up to 3,000 guest seats will be available for outdoor events and up to 1,500 indoor venues, while a maximum of 50 guests will be allowed to participate in events without designated seats.

Events with more than eleven participants must be notified, with more than 51 visitors permission is required from the health authority, and here, as in the restaurant, closing time is 22.00 and also the organizers must create a forecast plan and announce their own Covid-19, all of which also apply to conferences and trade shows.

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