The branches of industry that have previously been closed due to a lockdown are now jointly applying pressure to be able to unlock again quickly. Current negative tests should be a prerequisite for going to a pub or theater, hotel or cinema. In addition, everyone is committed to comprehensive security concepts with distances and a mask requirement. The industries are presenting their concepts today at a large online event.
In his opening statement, WKÖ President Harald Mahrer called for a clear step-by-step plan for the next opening steps. “What doesn't work is not a perspective,” he emphasized. And WKÖ General Secretary Karlheinz Kopf added: “We expect the first steps to open in March, preferably on the 15th.” They were supported by public health expert Hans-Peter Hutter, who advocated an opening under the appropriate security precautions.
Government will decide on Monday
Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) left a broadcast in advance of the event as to when the industries could open. The government wants to decide on Monday after consultations with experts, the opposition and country representatives. But it is good that catering and hotel representatives are now relying on current tests. “For me, entry tests are a basic requirement for enabling further opening steps as soon as the infection process allows it,” said Köstinger. Without entry tests, further openings would be “illusory”.
In the first industry round at the “Opening Summit” in the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, the hoteliers and their industry representatives had their say. There was widespread support for the mask requirement, and a vaccination certificate as a condition for entry into a hotel is quite conceivable Accustomed to a lot ”, so the chairwoman of the association, Susanne Kraus-Winkler. The coronavirus“ came to stay. ”Sacher boss Mathias Winkler painted a gloomy picture for the next few years. The hotel industry will only start making profits again in 2024 or 2025 that allow investment.
Rethinking in gastronomy
In the second industry discussion on gastronomy, the chairman of the association, Mario Pulker, defended the innkeepers' original rejection of the mask and test obligation. There was also a rethink and a new level of acceptance among the guests. Industry representatives also attribute the fact that 2,391 new infections were recorded in Austria today to the high number of tests and previous opening steps, such as in schools. “Come to us, you are safe with us,” said Pulker.
Barbara from the Viennese restaurant of the same name as well as Michael Kolm from the Lower Austrian restaurant Bärenhof understand that the guests understand the entry measures. And the employees would also “be happy to accept the security measures”, says Karin Rosenberger from Donau Lodge Ybbs (Lower Austria). The restaurateurs agreed: the door has to be unlocked on March 15th. “With a bit of gas” it will be fine go out.
