A kleinezeitung.at the Chancellor gave an interview in the domestic policy section of the newspaper, excerpts of which we have translated for you.
While in the spring Austria was at the forefront in imposing the lockdown, now in November there were 2000 dead, don't you think it was irresponsible to wait so long with the lockdown that has now been imposed?
KURZ: As much freedom as possible, let's give it to the people, as many restrictions as necessary, let's introduce. Because of the opposition of the parties, it was not possible to introduce harsher measures sooner. They believe that they could not be enforced on the population, and unfortunately this is realistic. It is certain that Austria will not open early.
The latest provisions will be presented on Wednesday. How will this depend on the number of new infections?
KURZ: It's not such a simple black and white question. It should be clear to everyone that we have to live with restrictions for weeks and months.
Is it possible to extend the lockdown by one week?
KURZ : Our aim is first to open up trade and schools in careful steps. There have been positive developments in two areas: mass testing and vaccines. I said in August that we would be back to normal by next summer and I still believe that.
What is the fear of a third closure?
KURZ: We try to avoid it as much as possible. Mass testing is a great way to localize infections and prevent new infections. After 7 December, we still have to live with massive restrictions.
Mass testing is only a snapshot and only makes sense if it is done continuously. Will further mass testing be carried out in January and February?
KURZ: The expression that mass testing is just a “snapshot” is very misleading. We want to find people first who don't even know they are infected. This will prevent them from infecting others. This will save lives. We don't do it by testing once and then stopping. The most important thing is
people let themselves be tested.
Would you like to be tested on a “test track” in Vienna? Perhaps together with Mayor Ludvig?
KURZ: I haven't made an appointment yet, but that goes for me as well. As a citizen, I'm upset about the restrictions on my freedom that I have to endure, not being able to meet
with my parents, my friends. These tests allow us to prevent lockdown, to shorten it, to soften it.
Let's move on to the ski season, which Merkel, Macron and Conte also find problematic: some say the ski slopes should be opened, but hotels should be closed. Would this compromise not solve this problem?
KURZ: We will present our plans on Wednesday, until then I can't talk about specifics. Until then, this discussion must be conducted separately, first of all, the ski slopes are currently closed. Secondly, as much as it pains me, sports and leisure facilities are not the first priority for reopening. Thirdly, we would like to see more sporting activities, including outdoor and individual sports, in the foreseeable future. What is certain is that après-ski activities (i.e. after-ski parties, bars, etc.) will not be resumed for at least a year.
The fact that Germans or Italians who have visited us do not end the whole situation, ,
have to go into quarantine after they return home?
KURZ: The fact is that even if we were to reopen, during a pandemic there would be significantly fewer tourists who would want to travel to Austria. The evolution of travel during a pandemic is not only a concern for Rome and Berlin, but also for us.
If you are travelling to Africa, for example, you must have a yellow fever vaccination. Is it possible that in the future, if someone wants to travel to Austria, they will have to be vaccinated first?
KURZ: our population can only beat the epidemic if a sufficient percentage of people are vaccinated. Although vaccination in Austria will be voluntary, it cannot be excluded that there will be sending countries or airlines that will require a certificate of vaccination.
Would you be happy for hotel, bar or fitness centre operators to only allow guests who have been vaccinated?
KURZ : So let's not start from the assumption that too few people want to get vaccinated in Austria. There is not even a single dose of vaccine in our country. I assume that many more people want to be vaccinated than there are vaccines available. In the first quarter, we want to vaccinate the elderly and health care workers, and in the second quarter we want to vaccinate the wider population.
What would you say to the anti-vaccine people who think the side effects of the vaccine are still unknown?
KURZ : I understand everyone who is worried about this. In Europe, and therefore also in Austria, we will only use vaccines that have been certified as safe by the European Medicines Agency in 100%. I have spoken to people who have already been vaccinated with the vaccine. They are all doing well. The more people who are vaccinated, the less of a problem it will be. Many diseases in the past could only be eradicated by developing vaccines. The coronavirus will be no different.
Would you get vaccinated?
KURZ : Yes, but because of my age, I'm not in the queue until later.
You just said that life will return to normal in the summer. But what will happen in the spring?
KURZ : The next few months will be marked by three things: unfortunately, certain restrictions on leave, as much testing as possible, and vaccination from January. Step by step, we can ease the restrictions. Until the population is vaccinated at a sufficient rate, we cannot return to normal life in 100%.
Can we ditch the mask for summer?
KURZ : My assumption is that we will return to normal life in the summer, provided that we have vaccinated a significant part of the population.
How do you spend Christmas? With or without parents?
KURZ : This year I have to give up a lot of things that I normally do with family, relatives and friends. I have to be very careful this year. The more we can collectively bring down the infection rate through action, mass testing and discipline, the safer the Christmas holidays will be. The real horror would be if we were to infect our parents and grandparents over Christmas and then find ourselves making them seriously ill.
