Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
Every weekday, The Local brings you an English-language summary of the news you need to know in Austria.
Changes to rules for Covid 'contact persons'
As of March 21st, all contact persons without full Coronavirus immune protection no longer have to quarantine in Austria.
Instead, “traffic restrictions” now apply to those affected which will require masks to be worn at all times when in contact with others, including outdoors, while visits to facilities where this is not possible, such as restaurants, or fitness clubs, is prohibited.
A further easing is also planned mid-week, with quarantine regulations for employees expected to be lifted by Health Minister Johannes Rauch.
The Austrian Health and Nursing Association (ÖGKV) has sharply criticised the planned easing of quarantine citing concerns about forcing staff to work when “half-recovered”.
More information about Austria's changed Covid rules can be seen at the following link.
Covid-19: What to do if you test positive in Austria
President Van der Bellen appeals to EU to ditch Russian gas
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has appealed to the EU to remain united in its independence from Russian gas and after a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo during his state visit to Brussels on Monday.
According to Van der Bellen, there are no signs of a total oil or gas embargo by the European Union because of the reliance on long-term contracts. "We have failed to diversify our energy supply - in gas it is obvious,” he concluded.
State kindergarten staff in protests over pay, staff and training
State kindergarten employees demonstrated for more staff, more money and more training across Austria on Monday. The kindergartens continued to operate in emergency mode despite the demonstrations. In Vienna, around 250 people gathered in front of the Ministry of Education.
There were also demonstrations in other federal states – around 150 people came in Linz, around 100 in Salzburg and around 50 in St. Pölten and in Bregenz.
Deportation of child 'unlawful', court rules
The deportation of a twelve-year-old girl known as Tina, her little sister and her mother to Georgia in January 2021 has been found to be unlawful according to Austria’s Federal Administrative Court (BVwG). The deportation, which caused controversy at the time, was “disproportionate”, the court decided.
Tina had never lived in Georgia before, was unable to read and write in the alphabet used in the country, and was doing very well in her school in Vienna, the Kronen Zeitung newspaper reports. The asylum office is expected to appeal the judgement.
Greens want Fiaker horses to take breaks when temperatures hit 30
The Green party is calling for Austria’s Fiaker horses, which pull Vienna’s distinctive carriages around the First District of the capital, to be banned from working once temperatures hit 30 degrees. At the moment, the upper limit is 35 degrees. However, this is measured at a weather station, which may record lower temperatures than the central areas of Vienna such as Stephansplatz or Michaelerplatz.
According to the Kronen Zeitung newspaper the city councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky says the rules are in place to protect the drivers rather than the animals. Setting the temperature limit to 30 degrees would have a knock on effect on other professions. He told the newspaper it was a matter which the animal welfare minister Johannes Rauch needed to address.
New cycle paths for Vienna
Vienna has unveiled plans to create more than 17 kilometers of new or improved cycling infrastructure in 44 projects. This includes new cycle lanes in:
- Lassallestraße
- Krottenbachstraße
- Alberner Hafen
- At the Heiligenstädter Bridge
- Improvements to a section of the Wientalradweg between Winckelmannstraße and Anschützgasse.
Pharmacies to continue Covid-19 tests in Styria
Styria has decided to carry on making Covid-19 PCR and antigen tests available in its pharmacies, broadcaster ORF reports. Up to five antigen and PCR tests will be available a month from April.
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Changes to rules for Covid 'contact persons'
As of March 21st, all contact persons without full Coronavirus immune protection no longer have to quarantine in Austria.
Instead, “traffic restrictions” now apply to those affected which will require masks to be worn at all times when in contact with others, including outdoors, while visits to facilities where this is not possible, such as restaurants, or fitness clubs, is prohibited.
A further easing is also planned mid-week, with quarantine regulations for employees expected to be lifted by Health Minister Johannes Rauch.
The Austrian Health and Nursing Association (ÖGKV) has sharply criticised the planned easing of quarantine citing concerns about forcing staff to work when “half-recovered”.
More information about Austria's changed Covid rules can be seen at the following link.
Covid-19: What to do if you test positive in Austria
President Van der Bellen appeals to EU to ditch Russian gas
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has appealed to the EU to remain united in its independence from Russian gas and after a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo during his state visit to Brussels on Monday.
According to Van der Bellen, there are no signs of a total oil or gas embargo by the European Union because of the reliance on long-term contracts. "We have failed to diversify our energy supply - in gas it is obvious,” he concluded.
State kindergarten staff in protests over pay, staff and training
State kindergarten employees demonstrated for more staff, more money and more training across Austria on Monday. The kindergartens continued to operate in emergency mode despite the demonstrations. In Vienna, around 250 people gathered in front of the Ministry of Education.
There were also demonstrations in other federal states – around 150 people came in Linz, around 100 in Salzburg and around 50 in St. Pölten and in Bregenz.
Deportation of child 'unlawful', court rules
The deportation of a twelve-year-old girl known as Tina, her little sister and her mother to Georgia in January 2021 has been found to be unlawful according to Austria’s Federal Administrative Court (BVwG). The deportation, which caused controversy at the time, was “disproportionate”, the court decided.
Tina had never lived in Georgia before, was unable to read and write in the alphabet used in the country, and was doing very well in her school in Vienna, the Kronen Zeitung newspaper reports. The asylum office is expected to appeal the judgement.
Greens want Fiaker horses to take breaks when temperatures hit 30
The Green party is calling for Austria’s Fiaker horses, which pull Vienna’s distinctive carriages around the First District of the capital, to be banned from working once temperatures hit 30 degrees. At the moment, the upper limit is 35 degrees. However, this is measured at a weather station, which may record lower temperatures than the central areas of Vienna such as Stephansplatz or Michaelerplatz.
According to the Kronen Zeitung newspaper the city councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky says the rules are in place to protect the drivers rather than the animals. Setting the temperature limit to 30 degrees would have a knock on effect on other professions. He told the newspaper it was a matter which the animal welfare minister Johannes Rauch needed to address.
New cycle paths for Vienna
Vienna has unveiled plans to create more than 17 kilometers of new or improved cycling infrastructure in 44 projects. This includes new cycle lanes in:
- Lassallestraße
- Krottenbachstraße
- Alberner Hafen
- At the Heiligenstädter Bridge
- Improvements to a section of the Wientalradweg between Winckelmannstraße and Anschützgasse.
Pharmacies to continue Covid-19 tests in Styria
Styria has decided to carry on making Covid-19 PCR and antigen tests available in its pharmacies, broadcaster ORF reports. Up to five antigen and PCR tests will be available a month from April.
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