Since January 25, Austrian residents have been obliged to use FFP2 class respirators instead of masks in shops or public transport. The innovation was previously announced by the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober commented on the decision, quoted by The Local. He noted that a respirator protects more reliably, but since the cost of a respirator is noticeably higher than a regular mask, all masks will be sold at cost. In addition, protective equipment will be provided free of charge to poor people. The price of a respirator will be around one euro.
Earlier in January, it was reported that residents of Bavaria were required to wear FFP2 respirators instead of masks. This decision was made against the backdrop of the spread of a new mutation of the coronavirus. Bavarian residents are now required to wear high-protection respirators in shops and transport.
To contain the infection in France, residents were advised to be silent and not use mobile phones when traveling on public transport.
Enhanced restrictive measures have been introduced in many countries of the European Union and the Eurozone since the end of last year. They operate in Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria and will last at least until the end of January. Their introduction was the result of an increase in the number of cases in late autumn and early winter.
