The Salzburg Chamber of Commerce expects a loss of ten million euros in sales, which will result from the early curfew on New Year’s Eve. “By not bringing the curfew to ten million euros for us in any way lost to 10 p.m., the companies in Salzburg are lost according to our calculations. This money is irretrievable because it is not offset by subsidies or aid money,” says Albert Ebner, Chairman of the tourism and leisure sector in the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce.

The early curfew is regulated in the current Covid Measures Ordinance and was decided by the GECKO Commission in order to keep the impending Omikron wave under control.

The resentment about the curfew on New Year’s Eve is still great.

For tourism, the latest decision by the GECKO Commission was another slap in the face and marks the provisional high point of an ongoing disadvantage during the entire corona crisis. “No other industry has had to remain in lockdown longer than we have,” says Ebner. And this despite the fact that earlier than many others, the company relied on comprehensive safety and hygiene concepts and successfully promoted the vaccination of the staff. “Such an industry, which is particularly important in Salzburg, must not be dealt with!” Says the division chairman. Ebner expects a significantly changed attitude and more sensitivity in decisions from politics in the new year.

The government is also aware of the protests by hoteliers and landlords.
But this stays with its line. “If you ask me, I’m sorry for the Austrians, then a resounding yes” – but from the point of view of the advisory experts it is simply necessary. “We are trying our best to protect people,” said Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) to the APA.

The Tyrolean governor and chairman of the governor’s conference, Günther Platter (ÖVP), sees it a little differently. “Such raid-like decisions only lead to further insurance and will not help us in the fight against the pandemic and Omikron,” he told the “Tiroler Tageszeitung”.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) announced on Wednesday priority checks by the police at the turn of the year and said: “I appeal to everyone, celebrate New Year’s Eve, but celebrate in a small group with friends or family.”

The SPÖ understands the curfew before midnight. Its chairwoman Pamela Rendi-Wagner said on Facebook that this year “is not the time for parties and big celebrations”.