Von Laer recommends a “one more week” lockdown for the West
Virologist Dorothee von Laer.
© HERBERT NEUBAUER
Innsbruck / Vienna – The Innsbruck virologist Dorothe von Laer advises in view of the large regional differences in the seven-day incidence to extend the lock for vaccinated people in the western federal states by one week. Von Laer welcomed the fact that trade, catering and the hotel industry in the east should open up “accompanying measures” APA-Interview on Tuesday. In general, however, the situation in all federal states is developing “in the right direction”.
Incident below 300 still “far away”
Because some regions “lagged” from the start, the western federal states are still “far away” from the “reasonable level, that is, a seven-day incidence below 300”. “We have to be careful now,” warned Von Laer. Because “no real relaxation” can be seen in the intensive care units. However, the doctor emphasizes that the number of new infections in Austria is high. On Tuesday, the number of nationwide confirmed active cases was below 100,000 for the first time in four weeks.
The question naturally arises as to whether an extension of the lockdown would also be politically enforceable for vaccinated people in the West, the virologist noted. From their point of view, however, it would be “good if you could treat yourself to another week here”. At that time, an unchanged critical situation in the intensive care units in the eastern region led to an extension of the lockdown in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland. Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein On Tuesday, the (Greens) declared regional solutions starting next week, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) permanently, an end to the lockdown next weekend was fixed (“The opening will take place.”), The only question is how.
Night gastronomy “still too risky”
Von Laer still spoke out in favor of opening up the after-sales service. “Places like bars and discos where there are no permanent seats and where there is possibly also dancing – that is still too risky at the moment,” she said. Major events are also currently not advisable.
In their opinion, Omikron does not play an “acute” role in the current opening debate. However, it is essential that the “third stitch” continues to be advertised. Should the omicron mutation predominate in the next few weeks, “it is certainly a good thing if as many people as possible are vaccinated a third time,” emphasized von Laer. “In parallel to slow opening steps, the adoption of accompanying measures and vaccination incentives, Omikron may have to become in the last discussion,” the virologist summed up. (APA)