The Austrian government has announced that the opening of the hospitality sector will be delayed until at least Easter, which Western Christians will celebrate on the first weekend of April.
Reported by The Local.
Thus, bars, restaurants, tourist, cultural, and entertainment establishments remain closed.
Bars and restaurants are still allowed to offer takeaway food and drinks.
The sector had little hope, however, as the Austrian government said it would meet again with experts and state leaders on March 1 to rethink its current course of action.
Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said the government had rejected requests from some Austrian cafes and bars to open gardens and surrounding areas as temperatures rise in March.
Tourism Minister Elizabeth Kessinger lamented “bitter news for gastronomy and tourism … which has been closed for several months and is suffering greatly from this situation.”
