(13 Mar 2020) Vienna's tourism industry is in "free fall" following efforts to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, according to the city's tourism board, and March has "basically been written off."
"We're indeed experiencing a standstill of public life in our city," explained Norbert Kettner, Vienna's tourism board director.
His comments came as Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced dramatic measures to try and stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Alpine nation, including quarantining two hard-hit areas of Tirol.
In addition, retail businesses are being asked to close as of Monday, outside of those providing essential services such as supermarkets, gas stations, banks, post offices and pharmacies.
Bars and cafes can only stay open until 3 p.m.
The government is expected to shortly announce financial aid which would help companies to survive the coming weeks and months.
Austria currently has 422 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and one dead.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
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"We're indeed experiencing a standstill of public life in our city," explained Norbert Kettner, Vienna's tourism board director.
His comments came as Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced dramatic measures to try and stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Alpine nation, including quarantining two hard-hit areas of Tirol.
In addition, retail businesses are being asked to close as of Monday, outside of those providing essential services such as supermarkets, gas stations, banks, post offices and pharmacies.
Bars and cafes can only stay open until 3 p.m.
The government is expected to shortly announce financial aid which would help companies to survive the coming weeks and months.
Austria currently has 422 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and one dead.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
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