Austria , like much of the world, is grappling with how to convince reluctant citizens to get vaccinated against Covid so the rest of the country can return to daily life. While its government prepares to impose a lockdown for the unvaccinated, one business has settled on an unlikely incentive. FunPalast, a brothel in the capital Vienna, has opted to inject some enthusiasm β and Covid immunity β into its clientele by offering free access to anyone willing to get the jab on-site.
Speaking with NBC News in a phone interview on Thursday, Christoph Lielacher, FunPalast's chief executive, said the initiative started out as a clever "marketing idea," but has since become an "absolutely serious" operation.
Nearly visitors at the brothel were vaccinated on Monday alone, according to Lielacher. NBC News has not verified the numbers. We have two doctors, we have nurses We have a room where you are vaccinated and afterwards, we have a room where you can sit down or lie down, so it's not a joke. It's a perfect line for vaccination," he said. Those who want to get vaccinated at the brothel but aren't interested in accessing its other services, he said, can instead use their vouchers for access to the site's fitness center.
Lielacher said he is not yet vaccinated himself due to hesitancy around getting the jab, but that he requires all workers to be fully vaccinated and to get tested for Covid twice a week. And now, he said, ensuring customers get the jab is vital for business as Austria introduces a new vaccine passport system that will block anyone without proof of full vaccination from entering a host of venues, including restaurants, cafes, hairdressers, cinemas β and brothels.
Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. The vaccine mandate, which was announced last week, is being rolled out following a four-week transition period during which venue entry will be allowed with proof of a first vaccination plus a negative PCR test. The new rules come as the country has seen record-high cases this month, with nearly 12, new Covid cases identified on Thursday alone, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University's Covid tracker.
