The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, has shown more political instinct in the past – and so he is currently confronted with a real uprising. The obligation to test children outraged parents, the SOS Children’s Village, tourism experts, restaurateurs and politicians. They are sick, the little ones, in the rarest of cases.
“Since our dear mayor does not stop securing people with exaggerated measures, we unfortunately have to cancel our reservation for July 3rd, 10:00 am (8 people) and move to Lower Austria”, it says in an email to a well-known Viennese Gasthaus, which the “Krone” has.
“This is a rejection by hundreds,” explains Vienna’s gastro boss Peter Dobcak. “The companies are losing their families because we can no longer offer tests in the pubs either.” Because living room tests are prohibited in Vienna as part of the 3G rule. Dobcak wants to put forward constructive suggestions and discuss them personally with the city boss and city councilor for health Peter Hacker (both SPÖ). In the end there should be a “practical solution” because the problem also affects the hotel industry.
“This requirement is an enormous strain for thousands of children and parents. The antigen tests with sticks in the nose are torture for many six-year-olds and are often simply not an option, ”says Christian Moser, Managing Director of SOS Children’s Villages. “In contrast to the painful antigen tests, gargle tests have a lead time of 24 hours. This means that any spontaneity is lost. ”His conclusion:“ I’m afraid that the needs of children have not been adequately examined and taken into account in the new guidelines of the City of Vienna. ”
The Vienna ÖVP speaks of “chicane”, the FPÖ of “agony”. And how many children between the ages of seven and twelve are actually Corona positive? Answer: currently 31.