Vienna (OTS) –
- For the first time 66 days of ice skating fun in front of the Vienna City Hall
- 200,000 visitors took advantage of the outdoor activities
- Ongoing optimization of the safety concept including distance markers
- Not a single case of infection in the context of contact tracing
(Vienna, February 28, 2021) An extraordinary season of the Vienna Ice Dream is coming to an end. Because sport and exercise have also been part of social life in recent months under the dominant influence of the corona pandemic. The organizer stadt wien marketing is all the more pleased to be able to draw a positive balance after 66 days of operation: Despite numerous restrictions, a total of around 200,000 visitors were able to use the offer to exercise in the fresh air. And thanks to the comprehensive security concept, not a single case of infection was reported by the health authorities as part of contact tracing.
In the challenging fight against the spread of COVID 19, people have had to forego many cherished traditions in recent months. Christmas markets could just as little take place as New Year’s Eve celebrations or the obligatory skiing holiday during the semester break. It was therefore particularly important to the City of Vienna to provide the Viennese and all guests of the city with a safe and attractive range of exercise in the fresh air within the framework of the statutory regulations. The early start of the Vienna Ice Dream season on December 24, 2020 was a welcome opportunity for many families and friends to combine adventure, sport and fun with ice skating on the Rathausplatz during the Christmas holidays.
“With the Wiener Eistraum the City of Vienna deliberately set a sign of confidence in a time of renunciation and I am pleased that we were able to offer so many Viennese a little variety and freedom of movement”
, emphasized Mayor Michael Ludwig and added: “Vienna has once again proven that with courage and determination, an innovative security concept and the discipline of the visitors, a safe experience is possible even in uncertain times. We will maintain this course and continue to find solutions to promote the joie de vivre in our city even during the pandemic. “
“This season in particular, it was important to make the Vienna ice dream possible. In many cases, the only opportunity for Viennese and guests in the city to exercise in the fresh air, this time ice skating was a very special highlight “
, was pleased with the City Councilor for Finance Peter Hanke and was satisfied with the results of the Vienna Ice Dream.
That the desire for sporting activity within the population is great, especially in times of restrictions, was demonstrated this year by the consistently high influx of visitors to the Vienna Ice Dream. In this way, the maximum capacities on the ice dream area were reached almost every day. The statutory visitor restrictions sometimes led to longer waiting times at the entrance, but at the same time brought more freedom of movement for the ice skaters on the 8,300 m² ice surface. The guests of the 26th Vienna Ice Dream were able to thoroughly enjoy the unique adventure landscape with the spectacular “Sky Rink” ice terrace on the first floor and the romantic dream paths in the Rathauspark.
Protection of visitors was a top priority
The protection of all guests and employees was a top priority at Wiener Eistraum from the start. In order to avoid infection with Covid-19, the organizer commissioned a comprehensive security concept in advance and in some cases even exceeded the legal requirements. For example, the minimum distance of two meters to non-household persons on the ice rinks already applied before the relevant ordinance. A modern security technology, the so-called “Community Distance Marker”, supported the visitors in maintaining the prescribed distances and enabled targeted contact tracking in the event of a corona infection. Floor markings in the queuing areas, a mask requirement on the entire site, except during active exercise, and the specially trained security staff ensured safe processes on site. The security concept was evaluated weekly and – if necessary – optimized. For example, the number of stewards in the outdoor areas has been increased several times, the registration counters have been doubled and visitors are additionally protected at critical points by Plexiglas walls.
In retrospect, the investments in security have definitely paid off. The measures were positively accepted and supported by the guests. The most gratifying thing about this, however, is that not a single case of infection was reported to the Vienna Ice Dream as part of contact tracing.
You can find images for editorial use at https://we.tl/t-ZSyyhrg9Dv
Photo credit: see file name
Inquiries & contact:
City of Vienna Marketing GmbH
Christina Müller MA BA
Media and public relations
+43 1 319 82 00
mueller@stadtwienmarketing.at
www.stadtwienmarketing.at
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