Austria ( Muhammad Amir Siddique). The number of infections is increasing, the fourth wave is rolling in. For SPÖ boss Dr Pamela Rendi-Wagner it is clear: there is no need to panic, but we have to make preparations. Four points are now crucial: Increase the vaccination rate quickly, prepare the third vaccination, free tests, 3G rule in companies. The corona infections are increasing again significantly. “It cannot be denied that we are at the beginning of a fourth corona wave,” says Pamela Rendi-Wagner in the “Red Foyer”, but she also states that there is no need to panic. The situation is not comparable to that of a year ago, but Rendi-Wagner speaks of an “urgent need for action”. What is needed now are “clever, sensible and creative solutions”, says Rendi-Wagner. Because it is clear: “The government must not sit back now. On the contrary: it should go from the spectator stand onto the field. This summer must not be overslept! “, Calls Rendi-Wagner Turquoise-Green to action. What is needed now are four specific measures that should be implemented across the country in a standardized manner. Four measures against the fourth wave. The vaccination rate must be increased quickly. Now we need to prepare for the third vaccination of the over-60-year-olds. The tests should be available free of charge throughout Austria and PCR tests should be expanded. With the involvement of the social partners, the 3G rule is to be introduced in companies and at the workplace – to protect all employees. Increase vaccination rate with creativity. The number of infections is increasing because the vaccination rate is too low,” says Rendi-Wagner, who refers to international statistics. In other European countries such as Malta or Denmark, the vaccination rate is so high mainly because a high vaccination rate could be achieved before the summer. In order to be able to increase the vaccination rate in this country too, “there are no limits to creativity”. Rendi-Wagner not only advocates the expansion of mobile offers without registration, for example in parking lots or at events, but also for vaccination incentives through the allocation of tickets for concerts or a vaccination lottery. Now start preparing for the third vaccination. The SPÖ boss also advocates “rapid planning of the third vaccination for the over-60 age group”. One cannot wait for the first data to come, “now organizational and logistical preparations have to be made,” says Rendi-Wagner, who emphasizes that the third vaccination is due, especially since studies in senior citizens’ and nursing homes have already shown a “decrease in antibodies” identify many elderly people. Israel has already started the third vaccination, and in Austria too, “one should prepare in good time”. Free tests and 3G in companies. Rendi-Wagner has a clear position on the current debate about free tests: “I am of the opinion that there should not only be a free offer, but that PCR tests should also be expanded.” We are “in the middle of the pandemic,” says Rendi -Wagner, for whom it is “technically unreasonable to reduce this test offer”. Because the tests had two goals: to contain the spread of the virus and to track the mutation variants. “If tests are not done, the overview is less,” says Rendi-Wagner, who refers to Cyprus, where three quarters fewer tests are done after the switch to paid tests. “Chargeable tests are not an incentive to vaccinate, but an incentive to contagion,” says Rendi-Wagner. Finally, the SPÖ boss advocates introducing the tried and tested 3G rule in companies and at work. This is an “important step to increase safety at work, reduce infections and increase the vaccination rate,” says Rendi-Wagner. It is clear that a fourth wave cannot be stopped. It is in our hands that we will survive the fourth wave well.
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