Austria set to reopen bars and restaurants next month

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says that if the number of coronavirus infections stays low, restaurants and cafes will be able to re-open from 15 May. /Reuters

Thousands of Austrian shops reopened last week amid strict rules on physical distancing and face masks made mandatory countrywide- as the country eased its lockdown.

Now Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says that if the number of coronavirus infections stays low, restaurants and cafes will be able to re-open from 15 May.

Physical distancing rules about the size of groups and the number of guests permitted will be announced next week. It's expected that serving staff will have to wear masks.

Religious services will also resume, while schools will slowly reopen in a step-by-step process from the start of May.

The chancellor said Austria was moving faster than other countries towards something like a new normality. But he warned that the government was ready to slam on the brakes if infections start to rise again.

Source: BBC