The Austrian Armed Forces have been supporting the medical authorities in Lower Austria with “contact tracing” since September 24. Up to 80 soldiers and civilian employees of the Austrian Armed Forces were deployed to the district authorities and statutory towns. Since this week, the number of Austrian Armed Forces “Contact Tracers” has been gradually doubled to 160 people.
Military Commander Brigadier Martin Jawurek commented: “By providing ‘contact tracers’, the Austrian Armed Forces are making an important contribution to overcoming the coronavirus pandemic in Lower Austria. Even if this is a challenge in terms of personnel, as we have to take personnel out of day-to-day operations, the people of Lower Austria can rely on the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces, as an integral part of the security family in Lower Austria, are ready to help our population – wherever they are needed and whatever is required of them.” On the one hand, the new “Contact Tracers” will continue to be deployed directly at the district authorities and magistrates of the statutory towns in teams with the staff there. On the other hand, 15 soldiers will work directly for the provincial medical staff in St. Pölten and provide reinforcements for large, cross-district clusters.
