Austria, Czech Republic aim to cautiously ease measures
Austria and the Czech Republic said yesterday they planned to relax some restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus starting after Easter, getting ahead of their European counterparts as they announced proposals that would begin a slow return to normal life.
The Austrian Government said it aimed to allow shops closed because of the pandemic to reopen in phases, beginning in just over a week. But Chancellor Sebastian Kurz cautioned that authorities could activate the “emergency brake” if infections accelerated once more.
Kurz said the upcoming days “will be decisive in whether the resurrection after Easter that we all want can take place”. He said the Government was also extending its three-week-old restrictions on public movement until the end of April.
In Vienna, Kurz said the Government’s plan was to reopen small shops of less than 400sq m on April 14, along with DIY stores and garden centres. The numbers permitted inside would be limited, and all would need face masks, as they already do at Austria’s supermarkets, he said. People also will have to wear masks on public transport.
Authorities hope to let the rest of the retail stores open on May 1, including shopping malls and hair salons. The Government doesn’t plan to reopen restaurants and hotels until at least mid-May, and the decision will be made at the end of April.
After small shops reopen next week, “we will watch things closely”, Kurz said. “If the (infection) figures continue to develop in the right direction, then the next step will take place on May 1. If we are not successful, then we must pull the emergency brake.”
Much of Europe was effectively shut down after clusters of Covid-19 cases first emerged in Italy in late February and other parts of the continent emerged as hot spots in the worldwide pandemic. Most governments still are talking publicly about the health crisis instead of exit strategies for the near-standstill of public life.
In the Czech Republic, the head of the Government’s crisis committee, Interior Minister Jan Hamacek, said he was proposing to scrap a ban on Czechs travelling abroad starting on April 14. He said border checks that were introduced to contain the virus would remain in place and people would be allowed to travel only under rules that had yet to be finalised.
For now, Czechs are barred from leaving the country and foreigners from entering it.
Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtech said the Government would also discuss a proposal to allow more small stores to reopen, depending on the epidemic’s development. The Cabinet will decide on the measures this week.
Like Austria, the country doesn’t plan to let up for Easter itself. Hamacek said restrictions on movement within the Czech Republic wouldn’t be relaxed for Easter.
Austria reported 12,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 220 deaths, as of yesterday, according to government figures. The neighbouring Czech Republic had 4591 cases and 72 deaths.
For most people, the virus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. But for some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause pneumonia and lead to death.