MKS: Protective Measures Expected to End by May 20

The final decision will not be made until next week, as a spokesperson for the State Secretary told the APA. The closed smaller crossings to Slovakia and Hungary are to be reopened, as confirmed on Tuesday in an ORF report. The restricted zones are to be lifted, and all import bans on meat will be removed.

After weeks without new cases in neighboring countries, Burgenland's Deputy Governor Anja Haider-Wallner (Green Party) expressed being "cautiously optimistic." The planned opening of the small border crossings will make life easier for commuters, provided no new FMD outbreaks occur, she stated in a statement to the APA. Great caution will still be necessary in businesses in the coming weeks. "We are therefore advocating strongly with the federal government for regulations that ensure a high level of safety for businesses and animals beyond May 20," emphasized Haider-Wallner. Strict hygiene and biosecurity measures will also be important in the coming weeks to prevent outbreaks.

FMD: Epidemic Carpets to be Dismantled

The epidemic carpets at the open border crossings in Hohenau an der March (Gänserndorf district) and Berg (Bruck an der Leitha district) are to be dismantled, according to the office of Lower Austrian Councillor Susanne Rosenkranz (FPÖ) upon request. The military assistance deployment, which started on April 14 and was requested by the state until May 20, is to be concluded as planned. The 24 smaller border crossings that have been closed since April 5 are to reopen on May 21. According to the ORF, the lifting of the restricted zones has been promised by the office of State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ). The reason for this is an implementing decision by the European Commission.

(APA/Red)

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