Austria: the health situation is deteriorating, the State criticized for its management of the crisis

Audio 01:17

A man wearing a mask on a street in Salzburg on October 21, 2020, as the coronavirus outbreak gallops and concern grows.

REUTERS / Leonhard Foeger

Text by: RFI Follow

5 mins

Austria, which has less than 9 million inhabitants, recorded 3,600 new coronavirus contaminations this Saturday, a record since the start of the pandemic.

New measures come into force this Sunday, October 25.

The population is worried.

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With our correspondent in Vienna, 

Isaure Hiace

Initially, the new measures were to enter into force this Friday, October 23 in Austria but the ordinance was published too late by the government.

They therefore finally apply from this Sunday.

“ 

It would be better if these measures could be planned more in advance so that they could be implemented directly

,” says Margit Schuh

.

For the population it would be easier, rather than constantly asking questions 

Main measure: gatherings are now restricted to six people indoors, twelve outdoors.

Sufficient for the moment, estimates Gerhard Sponnier, who declares: “ 

I find it good to tighten the measures gradually because the economic crisis is already there.

When I cross the first arrondissement, for example, I see restaurants closing because they no longer have customers. 

"

But in view of the

rapid increase in

the number of contaminations in recent days, some Austrians like Julian Glas are worried and find these measures not restrictive enough.

“ 

We should have already had a second confinement, he

believes.

These new measures are not really: schools are still open and online education has still not started.

I have the impression that politicians pay too much attention to the economy, not enough to the citizens. 

"

According to a recent poll, the Austrians are now a majority to believe that the government is not managing this crisis properly.

To read also: Covid-19: Austria sets up tests in restaurants to save its winter season

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  • Austria

  • Coronavirus

  • Health and medicine

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