OREANDA-NEWS. The Austrian authorities presented a plan to gradually weaken the quarantine measures taken in the country to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said at a press conference on April 6 that it is planned to open some shops starting April 14. “Our goal is that small shops with an area of ​​up to 400 square meters were able to open again on April 14, of course, amid strict security measures. This applies to wearing masks and disinfection, as well as limited number of customers,” the politician explained. From mid-April, garden markets and furniture and home furnishings stores will start working, the Chancellor added.

Thus, Austria became the first European country to announce the easing of the quarantine regime. Emergency measures against coronavirus entered into force on March 16.