It looks like the lockdown in St Anton, Austria has been extended to 8 Feb, while hospitality and tourism will remain closed until end-Feb. if true, I suspect that St Anton is not going it alone and other Austrian resorts will follow suit. I have not seen an official press release, so take this for what it is worth.
Also if true: how long can the lift companies afford to keep the resorts open for just locals? The fat lady is likely warming up her vocal chords to herald the end of the season.
Update @ 1700 AESST: I now have the Die Press Article:
After intensive
consultations with federal
states, experts and social partners , Austria's federal government decided to extend the “hard” lockdown. Specifically: the country is not to be "opened" gradually from January 24th, as originally planned, but only after February 7th.
The planned steps in detail:
- From January 25th, the distance rule will be extended from one to two meters . This applies to people who do not live in the same household.
- FFP-2 masks are required to be worn on public transport and for customers in retail . These are to be offered in food retailers at cost price, which will be calculated by the supermarket chains in the next few days. Low-income people should get them for free at all.
- The schools remain in distance teaching until the semester break . On February 8th, the classrooms in Vienna and Lower Austria should reopen. Upper Austria and Styria are moving their holidays a week forward . That means: all other federal states start on February 15th. In addition, self-tests are to be used in schools as soon as they are available. More on this.
- The first steps should be taken from February 8th: If the seven-day incidence drops to a maximum of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants (corresponds to almost 700 new infections per day), retailers , body-related services and museums should be allowed to open subject to conditions. Opening is then only allowed in combination with the wearing of FFP2 masks and maintaining a minimum distance of two meters.
- Companies are advised to introduce home office wherever possible.
- Gastronomy, hotels and organizers have to be patient at least until the end of February, they will not be opened in February: In mid-February, an evaluation should be made and a decision made as to whether an opening is possible in March. In addition to the previous support, a cancellation bonus was created.
It looks like the government is now aiming to save summer tourism.
