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EDUCATION

What are the latest coronavirus measures in schools and kindergartens in Austria?

Schools in the eastern states of Austria (Vienna, Burgenland and Lower Austria) are currently switched to distance learning. But what will have changed in schools when they go back after Easter? 

Published: 6 April 2021 13:46 CEST
Kids going to school
JOE KLAMAR / AFP

Schools in the eastern Austrian states of Vienna, Burgenland and Lower Austria have switched to distance learning since the start of April. 

Distance learning in schools in the three states will remain in place until April 18th, after a decision on April 6th to extend the lockdown due to concerns about dwindling ICU capacity. 

Here’s what you need to know. 

Why are schools closed – and when will they open?

If the seven-day incidence in a municipality district exceeds 400 schools should switch to distance learning, unless the cluster can be linked to a specific outbreak.

However, if the incidence drops permanently, schools should open full time again. 

More sensitive tests for schools planned after Easter break 

Since 15th March, all children at school must test themselves three times a week at elementary and special schools, and alternate days in all other schools.

Children who can show they have experienced a coronavirus infection in the past six months or still have antibodies do not need a test. 

Better self-tests with a higher sensitivity should be offered from the AHS lower level and middle school after Easter, it was announced last week according to the Vienna AT website.

Quarantine rules to become stricter 

If two people in a classroom  test positive for coronavirus with a PCR test, the entire class should be sent to quarantine for 14 days.

Pupils and teachers with an infection in the class will automatically be classified as Category 1 contact persons. These measures, previously in place in Vienna, now apply across Austria. 

What about PCR tests in schools?

Education Minister Fassmann is aware critics say tests are not sensitive enough, but notes PCR testing of all students, teaching and administrative staff, several times a week, would “cross logistical boundaries”, according to the website Vienna AT.

PCR tests take longer to process than the fast antigen tests, and do not give results in 15 minutes. 

Gurgle tests continue to be used

Gurgle tests, a form of PCR test which involves gargling, are being used in two ways in Austria.

The first is an Austria wide “gargle study” which began in Autumn 2020 of around 14,800 pupils between the ages of six and 15 in primary and secondary levels, as well as around 1,200 teachers who are tested at regular intervals. 

READ MORE: Vienna to roll out free coronavirus ‘gurgle tests’ next week

The second is a gurgle test offering provided by the Ministry for Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) and the Vienna health authorities since September 2020.

The gurgle tests are used by mobile teams from the local health authority when there are suspected cases of coronavirus in schools. 

New corona tests for kindergartens

A project will start on 7th April in Lower Austria to give kindergarten children “lollipop tests” in five kindergartens.

The aim is to detect CoV infections earlier in kindergarten.

If the pilot project is a success, it could be rolled out across Lower Austria in the next two weeks.

The tests are said to be similar to using a toothbrush, broadcaster ORF reports.

Masks remain mandatory

Masks covering the mouth and nose must be worn in school buildings in Austria.  In elementary and special schools masks only need to be worn by children outside of the class and group rooms

Lower secondary school students must wear masks throughout  the school building, and upper secondary level should wear FFP2 masks within the school building

Teachers and people working in school administration should wear an FFP 2 mask within the school building. 

Special allowances for children whose grades have suffered due to lockdown

Children who receive a grade of 5 (nicht genügend or “unsatisfactory) in one subject will not have to repeat the school year. If the child has missed the grade two years in a row, a repeat examination can be taken.

The maximum length a child can attend school is being increased by one year to allow children to catch up by repeating a year voluntarily. 

Laptops available for lockdown learning 

Parents or legal guardians who do not have laptops should contact their school directly to see if they can borrow one. In addition the #weiterlernen initiative gives out donated devices to schoolchildren across Austria free of charge. Find out more on the website weiterlernen.at.

 

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RENTING

‘Betriebskosten’: What are the extra costs renters must pay in Austria?

Renting an apartment in Austria means you’ll have to budget not only for the rent, but other somewhat hidden monthly costs and expenses.

Published: 30 April 2024 11:29 CEST
'Betriebskosten': What are the extra costs renters must pay in Austria?

Understanding operating costs or the specific expenses landlords or property agencies charge renters, is crucial for staying on top of your monthly payments when renting a place in Austria. These extra costs, known in German as Betriebskosten, are strictly regulated by Austria’s Tenancy Act. 

Here are the operating expensses that are chargeable to tenants, according to the MieterHilfe Public Association:

  • Water/wastewater and costs of leak testing, plus excess consumption due to burst pipes, but does not include disproportionate additional consumption for commercial operations;
  • Rubbish removal (and also clearing out floors and cellars);
  • Clearing out abandoned property;
  • Pest control, with costs such as extermination and periodic inspection or removal of pigeon droppings. Installation of pigeon screens is not included;
  • Sweeping fees (chimney sweep);
  • Electricity for lighting and communal facilities, such as the stairwell, but also replacement of light bulbs, fuses or switches;
  • Insurance premiums for fire, liability and water damage;
  • Insurance premiums for glass breakage and storm damage provided that more than half of the tenants have agreed to this being passed on;
  • Management fee (there is a set administration fee per square metre of usable space and building construction year)
  • House cleaning, including wages and social payments if there is a caretaker, plus materials; 
  • Public charges, unless there is a prohibition on passing them on – offsetting of property taxes is permitted;
  • Ongoing operating costs for communal facilities (lift, heating, playground, green areas, common rooms, etc.).

However, costs such as maintenance and repair work can never be charged under operating expenses.

The same goes for any ‘disproportionate additional costs or consumption due to commercial operations ‘, which refers to costs that are significantly higher than what would be considered normal for residential use or costs that are incurred due to the operation of a business within the rented property. 

READ ALSO: Tenant or landlord – Who pays which costs in Austria?

Vienna’s association for tenants MieterHilfe has a calculator that uses average values to show whether the Betriebskosten you pay are comparatively low, medium or high. The association notes, however, that even low values could be considered unauthorised billing in some cases. In contrast, high values could be correct – the calculator only shows if you are paying too much compared to other properties in the city.

You can check the values HERE. You will need to know either the total usable area of the building or the usable area of the flat and the operating cost share—this information is usually shown in a payment statement you receive from property management. 

What if I believe I am being unfairly charged?

If you think you are paying too much, but the charges are legal – such as for water electricity etc, then you would need to raise this issue with property management. They could take measures to save on operating costs, such as replacing old light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones or setting lights to a timer instead of a traditional light switch, for example.

There are many possible reasons for high or low values, according to the City of Vienna. For example, you may pay comparatively low for water one year because of a small number of residents, while the following year, there are leaking sanitary facilities and a burst water pipe that raises costs.

Buildings with many communal areas and green spaces often tend to have higher operating costs, especially for water, electricity, and housekeeping. 

However, things are different if you think you are being unduly charged—that is, there are charges in the operating costs that do not belong there, such as unapproved construction repair.

READ ALSO: Renting in Austria – The key things foreign residents need to know

If you are unsure of the costs, there is a significant deviation from average prices for no particular reason, or you believe that you are being charged for something not legally admissible as an operating cost, you could have a free check carried out by MieterHilfe or a tenant protection organisation. 

If there is a suspicion of unauthorised billing that cannot be dispelled between tenants and the property management company, this will be clarified at the arbitration board. The arbitration board is an independent body that mediates disputes between tenants and landlords. It is a point of contact before the courts in case of difficulties or legal disputes, and its decision is legally binding.

Property management companies and landlords must settle the operating costs for the previous year by 30 June at the latest and disclose them to tenants. This deadline is set to ensure that tenants have sufficient time to review their cost statements and raise any concerns before the new rental year begins. All expenses must be itemised in the statement, providing transparency and allowing tenants to see exactly what they are being charged for.

They are obliged to provide tenants with a detailed summary of the statement and the invoice documents. If the operating costs per square metre exceed €2, a more detailed review is recommended, according to the City of Vienna.

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