Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Monday
Record heat over weekend, Covid cases rise, gas supply concerns and more news from Austria on Monday.
72 year weather record smashed in Vorarlberg
A new record temperature was set in Vorarlberg at the weekend, beating the 36.3 degrees previously set in Feldkirch, on June 30, 1950. On Sunday, temperatures in Feldkirch reached 36.5 degrees at 15:00. The temperatures are currently five to ten degrees above the average values for mid-June according to broadcaster ORF.
ORF Vorarlberg weather expert Thomas Rinderer puts the heat down to two factors. There are the very warm air masses that have moved from Spain and southern France to Vorarlberg in the past few days. Another factor is the foehn, which has brought the warm air into the valleys.
READ ALSO: Heatwave: Nine of the coolest places in Austria
Power plant to be converted to run on coal
Austria will convert its Mellach power plant in Styria to run on coal instead of natural gas in case of an emergency. Russia has delivered only half as much gas as promised in the past few days. In view of possible impending gas shortages in Austria, the Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) convened the government's small crisis cabinet on Sunday evening. As a result, the energy group Verbund agreed to convert the plant to run on coal.
It will take a few months for the coal to be procured and for the adaptation of the power plant to be completed. The Krone newspaper reports that storage facilities in Austria are 40 percent full, according to Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens).
READ MORE:
- What is Austria's emergency plan if Russia cuts gas supply?
- Austria to convert coal power plant as Russian reduces gas deliveries
Covid cases continue to rise
Coronavirus cases and hospitalisations are continuing to rise in Austria this week. This is set to continue, according to broadcaster ORF, as last week’s effective reproduction number was calculated at 1.2. Epidemiologists disagree on what measures should be taken. In Vienna, public health expert and epidemiologist Hans-Peter Hutter of the Medical University of Vienna, says it is “strange” that people no longer have to wear masks in supermarkets and on public transport outside Vienna, according to Der Standard newspaper. However, the epidemiologist Gerald Gartlehner from Danube University in Krems is in favor of ending the obligation to isolate infected people, Die Presse newspaper writes. He also does not want to be vaccinated for the fourth time for the time being, as he is not in an ‘at risk’ group. He says while masks reduce the risk of infections by around 80 percent, they should not be mandatory.
READ ALSO: Is Austria heading for a summer Covid wave and could face masks return?
Vienna airport reassures travellers
As The Local reported on Sunday, 500 travellers were left stranded at Salzburg Airport on Sunday, due to flight cancellations. However Vienna airport has reassured travellers it is prepared for the summer. "With a workforce of 80 percent compared to the pre-Corona year 2019, the airport can cover the current and expected passenger volume well," said airport spokesman Peter Kleemann. The number of passengers is currently around 70 percent of the pre-crisis level and will not reach the record numbers of 2019 even in summer, despite the peak travel season, the Krone newspaper reports. However, other airports may experience problems this summer, and extra time is recommended for busy periods, the newspaper reports.
READ MORE:
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72 year weather record smashed in Vorarlberg
A new record temperature was set in Vorarlberg at the weekend, beating the 36.3 degrees previously set in Feldkirch, on June 30, 1950. On Sunday, temperatures in Feldkirch reached 36.5 degrees at 15:00. The temperatures are currently five to ten degrees above the average values for mid-June according to broadcaster ORF.
ORF Vorarlberg weather expert Thomas Rinderer puts the heat down to two factors. There are the very warm air masses that have moved from Spain and southern France to Vorarlberg in the past few days. Another factor is the foehn, which has brought the warm air into the valleys.
READ ALSO: Heatwave: Nine of the coolest places in Austria
Power plant to be converted to run on coal
Austria will convert its Mellach power plant in Styria to run on coal instead of natural gas in case of an emergency. Russia has delivered only half as much gas as promised in the past few days. In view of possible impending gas shortages in Austria, the Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) convened the government's small crisis cabinet on Sunday evening. As a result, the energy group Verbund agreed to convert the plant to run on coal.
It will take a few months for the coal to be procured and for the adaptation of the power plant to be completed. The Krone newspaper reports that storage facilities in Austria are 40 percent full, according to Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens).
READ MORE:
- What is Austria's emergency plan if Russia cuts gas supply?
- Austria to convert coal power plant as Russian reduces gas deliveries
Covid cases continue to rise
Coronavirus cases and hospitalisations are continuing to rise in Austria this week. This is set to continue, according to broadcaster ORF, as last week’s effective reproduction number was calculated at 1.2. Epidemiologists disagree on what measures should be taken. In Vienna, public health expert and epidemiologist Hans-Peter Hutter of the Medical University of Vienna, says it is “strange” that people no longer have to wear masks in supermarkets and on public transport outside Vienna, according to Der Standard newspaper. However, the epidemiologist Gerald Gartlehner from Danube University in Krems is in favor of ending the obligation to isolate infected people, Die Presse newspaper writes. He also does not want to be vaccinated for the fourth time for the time being, as he is not in an ‘at risk’ group. He says while masks reduce the risk of infections by around 80 percent, they should not be mandatory.
READ ALSO: Is Austria heading for a summer Covid wave and could face masks return?
Vienna airport reassures travellers
As The Local reported on Sunday, 500 travellers were left stranded at Salzburg Airport on Sunday, due to flight cancellations. However Vienna airport has reassured travellers it is prepared for the summer. "With a workforce of 80 percent compared to the pre-Corona year 2019, the airport can cover the current and expected passenger volume well," said airport spokesman Peter Kleemann. The number of passengers is currently around 70 percent of the pre-crisis level and will not reach the record numbers of 2019 even in summer, despite the peak travel season, the Krone newspaper reports. However, other airports may experience problems this summer, and extra time is recommended for busy periods, the newspaper reports.
READ MORE:
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