Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced on Monday the deadlines for trade and industry to gradually return to normalcy. This is combined with an increase in personal security measures in a public place against the spread of the virus. The masking requirement will not only apply to supermarket shopping, but also to public transportation from next week. Protective masks should also be worn at the workplace and, where appropriate, by employers and employee organizations. Sebastian Kurz praised the work of his government but also the discipline of the Austrian population and combined that with an appeal for people not to abandon the measures. “The gradual opening of society” should begin after Easter. Then the stores should gradually reopen. Initially, small stores of less than 400 square meters and garden centers and DIY stores may be opened. But visitors, as in grocery stores and in the future on buses and trains, will have to wear protective masks.

Starting May 1, all stores can be opened. However, restaurants and hotels remain closed. For them, Sebastian Kurz promised to open in mid-May, with a decision to be made at the end of April. By then, the existing exit restrictions had also been extended. Austrians can only leave their homes for four reasons: to go to work, to the doctor and pharmacist, to shop, or to go for walks or sports. Events of any kind will be canceled by the end of June.

In the field of education, this semester must be completed and matriculation and the last apprenticeship exam must be taken. School activities will have to continue from home until mid-May. What happens next will be decided at the end of April. This semester, university teaching will continue only digitally, examinations and research will be conducted as digitally as possible.

Sebastian Kurz referred to a press conference that only allowed Austrian media and was broadcast on the Internet about the “dramatic” situation in countries like the US and France. “We reacted faster and more restrictively in Austria than in other countries, and succeeded to prevent the worst”, the politician said. “It also allows us to get out of the crisis faster. If we remain consistent and disciplined”, added he.

The behavior on Easter Week will be decisive for “Whether the resurrection we all wish can take place after Easter”. This means keeping your distance from one another and avoiding social contacts outside your own household, the chancellor warned. We should not celebrate Easter with relatives or friends, he warned.