JAKARTA - The lockdown policy has been used as the main option in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that everyone must apply physical distancing at home. For entrepreneurs, they are required to temporarily close their business operations in order to succeed the agenda against the virus from Wuhan.
In the midst of many countries that have chosen to strengthen their lockdown policy, Austria has instead chosen to loosen up the rules a little. On Tuesday, April 14, the government officially announced that thousands of shops would reopen.
As well as reopening stores, Austria is also reopening retail shopping centers and a number of famous parks at the same time, Reuters reported. In fact, last week the Austrian government outlined plans for steps to reopen these parts of the economy.
Not only that, on May 1, the Austrian government will also continue its agenda of reopening shopping malls, big shops and hairdressers. The policy was taken by the government because Austria had acted earlier in fighting the outbreak by closing schools, bars, theaters, restaurants, non-essential shops and other gathering places about four weeks ago.
Therefore, not a few Austrian citizens are also supportive. Viennese florist Barbara Kugler, for example. He is very supportive and relieved by the easing of the lockdown taken by policy makers in his country.
"I am very relieved, both for my colleagues and for myself that the policy (lockdown) is taking a very, very long time for us and I do not know when this pandemic will end," said Barbara Kugler when she bought plants on the wholesale market.
In line with the policy, critics have begun to raise concerns that easing restrictions could lead to a resurgence of COVID-19. Moreover, Austria has now reported 384 deaths in total, although this number is less than some of the larger European countries with positive COVID-19 numbers increasing every day.
“It's confusing, and if you ask yourself why (this is happening), it's all about money of course. So I think, to be a little exaggerated, wealth is put right above people's health, ”said optician Nikolaus Hauser, who owns a shop in Vienna's seventh district.
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