Austria to loosen lockdown, require masks

Austria will extend a requirement to wear face masks in supermarkets to include public transport and shops that reopen on April 14, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's office says.

Shortly after Kurz announced a loosening of Austria's lockdown with the reopening of smaller shops next week, Anschober said that would happen in parallel with the requirement to wear a face covering.

A scarf or shawl can also be used instead of a mask, Kurz's office said in a statement.