With a stable development of the Covid numbers in the summer, masks could possibly be left out in the grocery store. Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) says so. However, there are no concrete signs of relaxation, criticizes Salzburg’s Chamber of Commerce President Buchmüller.

“After two years of compulsory masks, it is high time and no longer reasonable to continue wearing a mask, especially for employees in the food retail sector. But the mask requirement for our customers must also be lifted as soon as possible,” demands Buchmüller.

“Mask is and remains an effective tool”

The spokesman for the state, Franz Wieser, replies that the current recommendations from experts would be implemented throughout Austria. “In Salzburg, the number of infections is currently quite good. However, we know from previous years that the virus is not going away. And with a delay, when it gets colder, more infections are expected again. The mask is and will remain an effective means of slowing down the spread of Covid-19,” argues Wieser.

Salzburg’s state medical director Petra Gruber-Juhasz says on the debate about the obligation to wear a mask that she personally is in favor of continuing to wear a mask indoors where there are many people from outside the household. The mask has proven itself and also prevented many other infections. Everyone has to act independently, adds Gruber-Juhasz.