Short-time work in a pharmacy would probably not be expected at first given the corona pandemic and the rush for tests. However, if this is in an unfavorable location, i.e. in an airport terminal that has been closed for a long time, the cause should quickly become clear.

In contrast to other businesses, the airport pharmacy in Terminal 1 of Vienna-Schwechat Airport was not able to close, even though this hall had not been used for a long time. Literally like Asterix, the fort was held – albeit with reduced opening hours. Not just because you wanted to, but because you had to. The legal situation makes closing a pharmacy anything but easy. Even adjusting business hours is bureaucratic. You weren't alone, because at Milan-Malpensa Airport a pharmacy in Terminal 2 shared the same fate.

If not only significantly fewer passengers are on the road, but also the whole terminal area long auwas busy, it is almost logical that, apart from airport and airline employees, only a few have strayed to the airport pharmacy, the existence of which some travelers are not even aware of. The consequences of this: Sales have collapsed and are recovering just as slowly as the number of passengers. This forced the owner to act and she registered short-time work for her staff.

According to a report in the newspaper “Heute”, this has been part of this labor market measure for 25 months. The owner confirmed to the newspaper that the end of May 2022 will probably be ready to leave short-time work. In the meantime, there is more activity in Terminal 1 week after week and the reactivation of gate areas B, C and D give additional impetus on the way to normality. Incidentally, the airport pharmacy never offered corona tests. Only test kits could be bought or picked up as part of the free edition, which was available from time to time and is partly available again.