Coronavirus In Austria: A Country In Crisis

Austria's ski resorts have been at the centre of the country's coronavirus outbreak. Hundreds of infections in Germany, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Britain have been traced to Ischgl, dubbed the 'Ibiza of the Alps'. The resort was closed on March 13, but not before British skiers were filmed partying there. A criminal investigation is now underway.

Criminal investigation into Ischgl ski resort

Ischgl, a ski resort in the Austrian Alps, is at the centre of a criminal investigation after hundreds of infections in Germany, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Britain were traced there. The resort, dubbed the 'Ibiza of the Alps', was the site of an outbreak that spread across Europe.

The investigation was launched after it emerged that Austrian authorities had been warned about the risk of a coronavirus outbreak but had not closed the resort. On March 5, Iceland issued a warning after several people returned from holiday at the resort testing positive. A day later, on March 6, the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Ischgl. Despite this, the resort remained open and British skiers were filmed partying there in the days that followed.

One family, the Tregidgos, arrived in the nearby town of St. Anton on March 8. They say they checked an official Tyrol website that stated there was no risk of coronavirus and were unaware that Icelandic officials had warned Austria of likely transmission within Ischgl. They even called their hotel for final reassurance and were told that everything was fine. However, a day after checking in, they realised this was not the case as their 22-year-old local guide had a bad cough.

The criminal investigation into the Ischgl ski resort is ongoing and it is not yet clear what charges, if any, will be brought against those responsible for the outbreak.

British skiers partying at the epicentre of the Austrian outbreak

British skiers were filmed partying in Ischgl, Austria, in the crucial few days when the Austrian authorities were reportedly told about the risk of a coronavirus outbreak but had not closed the resort. Ischgl, dubbed the 'Ibiza of the Alps', is now at the centre of a criminal investigation after hundreds of infections in Germany, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Britain were traced there.

Scott Phiminster, 45, filmed his friends partying in Ischgl. Mr Phiminster and his friends returned to Britain after the Austrian authorities finally took action and the resort was closed on March 13. 'All the security staff and police in the airport in Austria were wearing masks and gloves when we left,' he said. 'But when we arrived at Edinburgh airport, there was not a mask to be seen. The message had obviously not got through in Britain yet.'

One of Phiminster's friends returned home to find his mother in hospital and tested positive for coronavirus.

The Tregidgo family arrived in St. Anton on March 8, unaware that shortly before their arrival, Icelandic officials had warned Austria of likely transmission within Ischgl. They checked an official Tyrol website that stated there was no risk of coronavirus. They even called their hotel for final reassurance. They said a receptionist told them the snow was great and everything was all right. A day after checking in, they realised it was not. Their 22-year-old local guide had a bad cough.

US officials declaring danger zones

As of March 2020, the coronavirus situation in Austria was severe enough that the country was declared a danger zone by US officials. The US had previously only declared China, Iran, South Korea and northern Italy as danger zones.

British skiers were filmed partying in Ischgl, dubbed the 'Ibiza of the Alps', in the crucial few days when Austrian authorities were reportedly told about the risk of a coronavirus outbreak but had not yet closed the resort. Ischgl is now at the centre of a criminal investigation after hundreds of infections in Germany, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Britain were traced there.

The Tregidgo family arrived in St. Anton on 8 March 2020, unaware that shortly before their arrival, Icelandic officials had warned Austria of likely transmission within Ischgl. They checked an official Tyrol website that stated there was no risk of coronavirus. A day after checking in, they realised the situation was not as they had been led to believe, as their 22-year-old local guide had a bad cough.

Austrian authorities eventually took action and the resort was closed on 13 March.

The Austrian authorities' response

On 13 March 2020, the Austrian authorities took action and closed the resort. Mr Phimister, a British skier, said that when he left Austria, 'All the security staff and police in the airport in Austria were wearing masks and gloves'. However, when he arrived at Edinburgh airport, 'there was not a mask to be seen'.

The Tregidgo family, who arrived in St Anton on 8 March 2020, said they checked an official Tyrol website that stated there was no risk of coronavirus. They were unaware that shortly before, Icelandic officials had warned Austria of likely transmission within Ischgl. They even called their hotel for final reassurance. They said a receptionist told them the snow was great and everything was all right. A day after checking in, they realised it was not. Their 22-year-old local guide had a bad cough.

The impact on tourism

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on tourism in Austria has been significant. The country, particularly the Austrian Alps, is a popular destination for skiers, and the virus appears to have spread rapidly in these resorts. Ischgl, dubbed the 'Ibiza of the Alps', was at the centre of a criminal investigation after hundreds of infections in Germany, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Britain were traced there.

British skiers were filmed partying in Ischgl in the crucial few days when the Austrian authorities were reportedly told about the risk of a coronavirus outbreak but had not yet closed the resort. The resort was eventually closed on March 13, with security staff and police wearing masks and gloves.

The Tregidgo family, who arrived in St. Anton on March 8, were unaware that shortly before their arrival, Icelandic officials had warned Austria of likely transmission within Ischgl. They checked an official Tyrol website that stated there was no risk of coronavirus. A day after checking in, they realised the situation was not as they had been led to believe, as their 22-year-old local guide had a bad cough.

The pandemic has also had an impact on domestic tourism in Austria, with many people out of work and stay-at-home orders leaving some victims trapped with their abusers.

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