From January 25th, an FFP2 mask is required in shops and public transport. You have to keep that in mind.
The lockdown in Austria was extended and the corona measures tightened. The new rules from January 25th include an increase in the general distance rule from one to two meters and the FFP2 mask requirement in retail and public transport.
The previously quite expensive masks are being offered as cheaply as possible at cost price in food retailers, it said. People with low incomes should even receive the FFP2 masks for free. How much they will cost, however, is still open, revealed a “Today” broadcast in stores. Neither Spar nor Hofer wanted to name specific prices. At the Rewe group (Billa, Merkur, etc.) the masks currently cost 2.99 euros per piece, at Lidl they cost 99 cents.
“Due to the high global demand”, however, the price development is “not foreseeable”. At least the 20 percent VAT for the masks should fall, according to Finance Minister Gernot Blümel. There will be a vote in parliament on Wednesday.
The demand for FFP2 masks is currently extremely high. The Austrian mask manufacturer Hygiene Austria LP wants to expand production. “They go away like hot cakes,” a company spokeswoman told the APA. Ten million pieces are currently produced per month.
At Wiener Linien, the mask requirement is checked by the inspectors. If passengers refuse to wear an appropriate mask, they will either be prohibited from continuing their journey or a fine will be imposed. We are talking about a fine of 50 euros.
According to WKO information, the health authorities will carry out random checks in the supermarkets. The respective employees will also make customers in the shop aware of the new regulation.
“The protection of the health of our customers and our employees has the highest priority for us. Our employees will point out to customers that there is an obligation to wear an FFP2 mask in the sales rooms. If you do not comply with it despite being asked, we can not Grant access to our stores “, explains Rewe press spokesman Paul Pöttschacher in response to a ” Today “ request.
Those persons who are exempt from the obligation to wear an FFP2 mask for health reasons should have a corresponding medical certificate with them. There should be no fines.
The Hofer retail chain is also currently in the process of ordering the FFP2 masks. They are expected to arrive by the end of this week and will be available in stores at cost.
“How high this will be has not yet been determined. We are trying to obtain sufficient FFP2 masks and, if necessary, will also order subsequent deliveries. All further steps and measures will result from the publication of the new regulation,” says it in a statement to “Today”.
