Austrian energy group OMV has seen the first signs of increase in road fuel demand in the country over the past week, as Austria started lifting its Covid-19 lockdown, but expects a gradual recovery to usual consumption levels later this year,  CEO Rainer seele has said in a S&P Global interview.

Austria was the first European country to start relaxing its Covid-19 measures and since the partial re-openings, road fuel sales have recovered somewhat, with gasoline currently being 40% lower and diesel down at 20% of year-earlier levels, according to Seele. Jet fuel sales remain 95% lower.

Austria is expecting a further lifting of the quarantine restrictions on 4 May.