For Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) it is clear that opening of the catering trade will only be possible under certain conditions.
On Wednesday it became known how intensively and specifically politicians are already thinking about a possible opening of gastronomy. As reported, it is already clear that an entry test will also be mandatory in the event of a restaurant visit. An opening of the gastronomy and hotel industry without further access tests is “illusory” for Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP). She announced this in a press statement on Thursday morning.
The government is currently “in very intensive talks with representatives of the catering, tourism and leisure industries”. At the moment, concepts are being worked on in order to enable “safe unlocking on day X”, revealed Köstinger. When exactly this day will come depends primarily on the infection rate in Austria. It is already clear that in addition to representatives from the hotel and catering industry, country and opposition representatives should also be involved in the decision-making process.
A decision was announced by the politicians for March 1st. Then the further procedure should be determined by Easter. Köstinger agrees positively that the restaurant representatives have already sent positive signals in the direction of entry tests. This type of test would “work extremely well” for body-hugging services, says Köstinger.
