VIENNA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz vowed on Friday that Austria would make a "comeback" as a business location after overcoming the coronavirus pandemic.
"I would like to be able to look back in a year with you and say: we have overcome the disease, we have saved lives together and we have made a comeback as a business location," said Kurz before the members of the National Council, all of whom were wearing masks.
The chancellor made it clear that trade would be resumed as soon as possible, but the government will proceed very carefully and gradually, and there will have to be accompanying measures, such as keeping a safe distance and putting on masks.
He said that the government will consult with experts on the weekend to see what the restarting of business would look like, warning "we are not over the mountain yet."
So far, Austria has weathered the crisis better than many other countries, because of all the measures taken and that the population has complied with them, said the chancellor.
He emphasized the importance of these measures and reminded the people to "consistently" adhere to them at Easter.
"The restrictions are necessary so that we can regain freedom," said the chancellor, putting on a mask after his speech.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in Austria has reached 11,383 as of Friday afternoon, with 168 deaths reported, according to data released by local health authorities.
