Local and federal authorities could have contained the spread of a coronavirus outbreak that infected thousands of tourists in two Austrian ski resorts, according to a new report. "From 8 March, a correct assessment should have led to the closing of bars, the stopping of ski lifts and orderly management of departures," of tourists from Ischgl, a village in the western state of Tyrol, the experts found in a report seen by AFP.
Instead, after a barkeeper in Ischgl tested positive for Covid-19 on 7 March, tourists were not informed. Skiing and partying continued for several days until a complete and immediate lockdown of Ischgl and Saint Anton, a nearby ski resort, were announced on 13 March.