Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
Fewer people following Covid-19 vaccination recommendations, Carinthia to set a regional election date, health sector sounds the alarm and more news from Austria on Tuesday.
- The number of new vaccinations against Covid falls
Fewer people are following the recommendation to take the Covid-19 vaccination, the newspaper Die Presse reported.
According to Ministry of Health data, only just over half of people in Austria have been vaccinated following expert recommendations. That is 817,000 fewer people than in July, the report said.
The Ministry of Health now wants to discontinue the corresponding statistics and only publish the number of vaccine doses administered.
The vaccination committee has recently extended its recommendations on the Covid vaccination several times. Since the end of August, for example, the experts have recommended the fourth vaccination ("booster vaccination") from the age of twelve instead of 60.
READ ALSO: Masks against Covid and flu: What’s ahead for Austria this winter
- EXPLAINED: Is the construction ‘boom’ over in Austria?
Austria has seen a property and construction boom in the last few years. Will inflation dampen new investment in the sector? And what will it mean for the property market?
- Carinthia to set local election date
Next year, Carinthia will again hold regional elections, which will probably occur at the beginning of March, the newspaper Der Standard reported.
On Tuesday at 9 am, the red-black government will discuss the concrete election date, which will be announced about two hours later by Governor Peter Kaiser and State Councillor Martin Gruber (ÖVP) at a press conference.
The incumbent, Peter Kaiser, seems set for reelection though whether in a coalition or through an absolute majority, remains to be seen.
READ ALSO: Why is support for Austria’s far-right FPÖ rising?
- Health sector sounds the alarm (again)
Health sector workers in Austria are again warning that there is an extreme staff shortage, with certain provinces, such as Upper Austria, alerting that they will need more than 9,000 new people entering the workforce in the next eight years.
The 24-hour caregivers sounded the alarm as hospitals had to change shift plans and workers had to go on (more) overtime to cover slots, broadcaster ORF reported.
Even if a number of measures are underway - from the nursing bonus and nursing reform to facilitation of the Red-White-Red Card and changes in medical studies - "the shortage cannot be remedied solely from the reservoir of labour that we have in Austria or Europe", Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Grüne) said on Monday.
READ ALSO: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system
- Weather
Screenshot from ZAMG
Rain and snowfall spread from the southwest to many parts of the country, with the focus of precipitation on the southern side of the Alps, Austria's meteorologic institute ZAMG said.
Especially from the Zillertal Alps to the Radstädter Tauern and south of them, it will snow heavily. As a result, the snow line will drop to between 400m and 900m above sea level, depending on the intensity of the precipitation.
Afternoon temperatures are 2C to 7C.
If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
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- The number of new vaccinations against Covid falls
Fewer people are following the recommendation to take the Covid-19 vaccination, the newspaper Die Presse reported.
According to Ministry of Health data, only just over half of people in Austria have been vaccinated following expert recommendations. That is 817,000 fewer people than in July, the report said.
The Ministry of Health now wants to discontinue the corresponding statistics and only publish the number of vaccine doses administered.
The vaccination committee has recently extended its recommendations on the Covid vaccination several times. Since the end of August, for example, the experts have recommended the fourth vaccination ("booster vaccination") from the age of twelve instead of 60.
READ ALSO: Masks against Covid and flu: What’s ahead for Austria this winter
- EXPLAINED: Is the construction ‘boom’ over in Austria?
Austria has seen a property and construction boom in the last few years. Will inflation dampen new investment in the sector? And what will it mean for the property market?
- Carinthia to set local election date
Next year, Carinthia will again hold regional elections, which will probably occur at the beginning of March, the newspaper Der Standard reported.
On Tuesday at 9 am, the red-black government will discuss the concrete election date, which will be announced about two hours later by Governor Peter Kaiser and State Councillor Martin Gruber (ÖVP) at a press conference.
The incumbent, Peter Kaiser, seems set for reelection though whether in a coalition or through an absolute majority, remains to be seen.
READ ALSO: Why is support for Austria’s far-right FPÖ rising?
- Health sector sounds the alarm (again)
Health sector workers in Austria are again warning that there is an extreme staff shortage, with certain provinces, such as Upper Austria, alerting that they will need more than 9,000 new people entering the workforce in the next eight years.
The 24-hour caregivers sounded the alarm as hospitals had to change shift plans and workers had to go on (more) overtime to cover slots, broadcaster ORF reported.
Even if a number of measures are underway - from the nursing bonus and nursing reform to facilitation of the Red-White-Red Card and changes in medical studies - "the shortage cannot be remedied solely from the reservoir of labour that we have in Austria or Europe", Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Grüne) said on Monday.
READ ALSO: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system
- Weather
Rain and snowfall spread from the southwest to many parts of the country, with the focus of precipitation on the southern side of the Alps, Austria's meteorologic institute ZAMG said.
Especially from the Zillertal Alps to the Radstädter Tauern and south of them, it will snow heavily. As a result, the snow line will drop to between 400m and 900m above sea level, depending on the intensity of the precipitation.
Afternoon temperatures are 2C to 7C.
If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
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