Paznaun-Ischgl Develops Extensive Health And Safety Standards

Having acquired a reputation as covid's ground zero, the decision-makers in the Tyrolean Paznaun have developed a complex package of measures to ensure the health and safety of guests, employees and locals as best as possible. The traditional Top of the Mountain concert at the start of the season will not take place this year - instead, an alternative is being worked on, which will be presented in autumn.

Mayor Werner Kurz, TVB board members Alexander von der Thannen, Arnold Tschiderer and Michael Zangerl as well as Markus Walser and Günther Zangerl, the two board members of Silvrettaseilbahn AG, agree: “Health has top priority”.

Start of the season without a concert

In order to avoid large crowds, there will be no Top of the Mountain concert at the beginning of the season this year. “We want to focus on nature and our extensive top ski area, which extends into the Swiss Samnaun, with a daily groomed slope area of ​​500 hectares. We will present the details of the alternative winter start in autumn, ”emphasize those responsible.

Extensive tests and proof of health

The preparations for special health and hygiene guidelines have already been completed in consultation with experts and the mountain railway companies in the valley and Samnaun. With a bundle of measures relating to health and safety standards, one deliberately sets a focus and will implement a common approach throughout Paznaun that goes far beyond official requirements.

Measures for employees

In the coming winter season, all employees with a current negative Covid-19 test should arrive or be tested on site before the start of the season. During the winter season, employees are offered an ongoing test option in order to protect both guests and work colleagues as best as possible.

Measures for guests

It is recommended that guests present a negative test result that is not older than 72 hours at check-in at the hotel. "If you cannot present a test result, there is a voluntary test option in the local guest screening station," explains TVB chairman Alexander von der Thannen. In addition, a temperature measurement should be carried out at check-in and a short questionnaire answered and signed. A personalized contact tracing app is currently being developed, which will determine the contact circle of individual cases of the guests and thus also contribute to security.

Measures for the early detection of potential infections

"In terms of prevention, the Paznaun also relies on wastewater monitoring, an initiative of the State of Tyrol that is implemented across the country in cooperation with the University of Innsbruck," affirmed Mayor Werner Kurz. These ongoing wastewater tests are intended to enable the early detection of potential infections with high accuracy.

Cross-border security in the Silvretta Arena

“In the ski area, too, one of our main concerns is to ensure the best possible safety through appropriate health and hygiene measures. The measures are in accordance with the current legal requirements, but in large parts go well beyond these minimum requirements, ”explains Günther Zangerl.

Measures for the cable cars

Specifically, all cable car cabins are continuously disinfected using cold fogging devices in order to eliminate 99.99 percent of viruses, bacteria and spores in the cable car cabins. The same method is also used daily in the ski buses as well as in sports shops, ski depots, toilet facilities, elevator cabins and the first aid stations. Fever measurements are carried out on all employees every day before starting work - an important component in addition to a mandatory initial test and possible follow-up tests for those parts of the workforce who are in contact with customers.

Measures for skiers

Winter sports enthusiasts must wear a mouth and nose protection when using chairlifts and lifts - the Silvrettaseilbahn AG has bought 600,000 multifunctional towels for this purpose, which guests receive as a free bonus when they buy a ski pass. The mouth and nose protection is also mandatory in neuralgic and specially marked areas; Likewise, all employees with customer contact will wear such protection. The waiting areas are technically organized, regardless of the current legal requirements, so that groups of people standing close together are avoided as far as possible. "In order to ensure that a sufficient safety distance is maintained, we will - depending on the occupancy - also the access to our restaurants on the mountain,

Massively restricted après-ski

Those responsible also agree on planned measures to curb “party tourism”: “Legal requirements will drastically restrict this area, après-ski, for example, will no longer exist in its current form this winter.” Apart from official requirements for the In the coming season, however, long-term qualitative measures will be taken in Ischgl in this segment. The details of the restrictions that are currently being finalized will also be specified in autumn in time for the start of the winter season.

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