National holiday in Austria – overshadowed by Covid-19
Austria began the national celebration with a slimmed-down ceremony in Vienna and the swearing-in of a hundred recruits. The holiday was supposed to serve as a vaccination offensive – and President Alexander Van der Bellen thanked everyone who was vaccinated on the holiday. According to the head of state, there were around 400 people in the Vienna Hofburg alone.
To serve and protect the fatherland, Federal President and Commander-in-Chief Alexander Van der Bellen took this vow only to one side in view of the freshly overcome Turkish-Green government crisis.
He said: “Even politics, including myself, can follow your example. Because the purpose of politics is also to serve the country. Thank you for reminding us today.”
There is no mask requirement on Heldenplatz. Although over 3300 new corona infections were reported on the holiday. On Sunday there were even 3,600.
The critical limit of the intensive care bed occupancy is 600 Covid-19 patients. Once it has been reached, people who have not been vaccinated are only allowed to leave their homes with a valid reason.
You are not allowed to visit restaurants, hotels or cultural and sporting events from as little as 500 intensive care patients.
Restrictions are already in force regionally. The Braunau district bordering Bavaria has to carry out exit controls (since Tuesday). The 7-day incidence there was last over 400.
And in Upper Austria, FFP-2 masks are again required in retail and cultural establishments next Friday.