The Austrian federal government wants to strictly monitor compliance with the 3G regulation, which applies in gastronomy, in the future. Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) announced fines. Airport lounges also fall under the Covid rules for gastronomy.

According to a media statement by the two members of the government, the decisive factor was that there have been increased infections in the night catering sector in recent days. It is now hoped with the help of controls to enforce compliance with the 3G rule. At the same time, the broadcast reads: "In order to curb the dynamic spread of the delta variant and to be able to maintain the current opening steps, compliance with the coronavirus measures is now being monitored more closely - especially in the catering trade."

“We will do everything we can to ensure that the access rules in the night-time catering, but also in all other catering establishments, are complied with across the board. It is in the interest of night gastronomy AND its guests that these rules are taken seriously. This serves to protect each individual and helps ensure that we do not need any further protective measures. With the Green Check application, on-site checks can be carried out quickly and efficiently, ”says Köstinger. “The continuation of guest registration is also important. This enables us to improve contact tracing and effectively stop the spread of infections. This is the only way we can maintain our recently regained freedoms. The health authorities and, if necessary, the executive branch will ensure that the rules are followed. In addition, my appeal is aimed specifically at young people: Get vaccinated, you will protect yourself and your friends from infection and help to ensure that partying and dancing is still possible. "

The police were now authorized to issue organ mandates that can be paid for on the spot. Alternatively, or in the event of unwillingness to pay, notifications can be submitted to the responsible administrative authority, usually the district administration or, in statutory cities, the magistrate. Failure to provide evidence of a low epidemiological risk will cost 90 euros in the future. The range of administrative penalties for guests is € 500 as before, and € 3.600 for operators.

The Greek government even imposed one due to violations of the local Covid rules in the catering trade Partial lockdown with night curfew on the island of Mykonos. The government there justified this explicitly with the disregard of the requirements and excessive parties.

“We worked hard to get the openings together. The cornerstone of this relaxation was 3-G verification from the start. I therefore call on all businesses and companies to check compliance with the 3-G rule particularly carefully in order to prevent a further increase in the number of infections as far as possible. With the Green Pass and the Green Check web app, we have developed a number of tools that make this particularly quick and easy. I ask you to use these possibilities as well. We can only maintain the opening steps if the currently valid rules and safety measures are consistently observed and implemented. Health authorities and the police will monitor this more intensively in the future, ”said Mückstein.