Austrian brothel “Funpalast” has announced that newly-vaccinated residents will receive a €30 Euro voucher for services at their Vienna establishment.
The initiative comes as Austria’s government announced Monday it would allow brothels to resume operation after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of brothels and other sexual services. Prostitution is legal under Austrian law.
“Due to the pandemic, we have registered a 50% decrease; with this initiative, we hope that the number of customers will rise,” Funpalast's owner told Austrian newspaper Kurier.
The voucher is targeted to everyone, although specifically to foreign workers, who lag in their rate of vaccination, are unfamiliar with local laws and lack access to vaccines. The Funpalast hopes to boost vaccination rates among this key demographic in Austrian society. Furthermore, 95% of Austria’s sex workers are foreigners, according to Austria’s Federal Ministry.
Amid global relaxation of COVID-related restrictions, new prostitution regulations released by the Austrian government further include mandatory mask-wearing and disinfecting procedures.
Funpalast’s owner offered a further incentive for prospective patrons to get their shots, telling Kurier that “when you return home, as an excuse for the delay you can say that you have been vaccinated near the (nearby) Klimt monument.”
Austria’s vaccination rate stands at nearly 63%, per current data.