In February and March, the famous ski resort of Ischgl in Tyrol becomes a Corona hotspot and is sadly known across Europe. Hundreds of people are infected with the coronavirus at this time – without knowing it. Chaos, quarantine and accusations follow. Now a wave of lawsuits threatens.
The first sample processes are emerging on the role of the Austrian tourist resort of Ischgl in the spread of the coronavirus. The Austrian consumer advocate Peter Kolba announced that he would bring the first complaints from victims for compensation and recognition of consequential damage to the Vienna Regional Court at the end of September.
These include cases of Germans who either died from the disease or, as in the case of a man from the Rhineland, had to struggle with consequential damage after a long stay in the intensive care unit.
Ischgl lawsuits: In individual cases, it is about 100,000 euros
"In individual cases it is about 100,000 euros," said Kolba of the German press agency. According to his presentation, those responsible reacted too late and not sufficiently enough to the outbreak of the Corona crisis. The virus was carried to 45 countries from Ischgl, which is known for its après-ski scene.
A study by the Medical University of Innsbruck published at the end of June showed that 42.4 percent of the tested citizens in Ischgl had developed antibodies to the coronavirus. This was considered to be the highest value published worldwide and an indication of the high spread of the virus in the area. According to the Austrian authorities, 40 percent of all domestic cases were at times due to Ischgl. Many German tourists are also convinced that they have been infected in Ischgl.
More than 6000 vacationers have registered
More than 6000 holidaymakers in Tyrol, many of them Germans, have now reported to Kolba as victims. According to the association, around 1000 people have already decided to join the criminal proceedings as private parties.
As an indication that meeting business partners for a meal was sufficient for infection, Kolba evaluates the case of an Italian living in Munich who only visited the place on March 12 for a business visit. On March 13, the Paznaun Valley with the towns of Ischgl and Galtür was placed under quarantine. The sometimes chaotic circumstances of the tourists' departure would also be part of the procedure, said Kolba.
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Ischgl is preparing for the new season with Corona
Meanwhile, Ischgl is taking measures to prevent the virus from spreading again in the winter season, which starts at the end of November. All tourism employees should arrive with a negative corona test or be tested on site. During the season, employees would then be offered ongoing testing opportunities.
Guests are also advised to show a negative test result when checking in at the hotels. Otherwise they could be tested on site. In addition, the wastewater will be analyzed in search of the virus. The cable car cabins are to be continuously disinfected using cold fogging devices. According to the information, the same method is also used daily in the ski buses as well as in sports shops, ski depots, toilet facilities, elevator cabins and first aid stations.
"Controlled après-ski certainly better than parties in the side streets"
The cable car industry in Austria wants clear rules for the upcoming winter season, especially for the now controversial après-ski celebrations. The industry is in favor of a mandatory registration of guests at après-ski and in the nightclubs of the winter sports resorts, for an intermediate closing time from around 6.30 p.m. or 7 p.m., during which the bars are cleaned and disinfected, as well as regulating the number of guests.
"A controlled après-ski is definitely better than parties in the side streets", so recently the cable car spokesman for the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), Franz Hörl. The decision must be made soon. "Three percent of sales could endanger 97 percent of the season," said Hörl.