Austria: Corona rules after the lockdown
After another lockdown across the country, Austria has awakened again. For the unvaccinated, the majority of life still takes place within their own four walls.
Austria has had another tough lockdown. For several weeks in the run-up to Christmas 2021, public life almost stood still. Many of the measures ended with the third Advent. Since then, entry from Germany has also been worthwhile again. We’ll show you what to look out for.
Entry into Austria: Unvaccinated people need a PCR test
Entry is only permitted to those who can provide evidence of a low epidemiological risk. This includes proof of vaccination or genes, otherwise, according to the Foreign Office, only one PCR test that is 72 hours old is recognized. This is according to “ADAC“Also a prerequisite for short stays of less than 24 hours. People without proof have to register electronically and have to do a PCR test 24 hours after entering the country.
Anyone who has been in a virus variant area in the ten days before must also submit a PCR test and go into ten-day quarantine. Free testing is possible after five days at the earliest.
Cross-border commuters within the framework of the initiated border traffic – in addition to work or training, the background can also be a family one – can also submit an antigen test from recognized bodies, this must not be more than 24 hours old. When traveling through without a stopover, neither electronic registration nor proof of test is required.
Austria after the lockdown: Unvaccinated people are only allowed to leave their living quarters for valid reasons
People with 2G proof can move freely again without needing a valid reason. However, there is a curfew for restaurants and many other facilities at 11 p.m. In addition to those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered, all children under the age of twelve are exempt from the all-day exit restrictions.
On the other hand, non-vaccinated people are allowed to move into their private living quarters – also include residential units in accommodation establishments, old people’s and nursing homes and inpatient residential facilities for the disabled – only leave certain areas under certain conditions. This is permitted to avert immediate danger to life, limb and property or to look after and provide assistance to people in need of support, as well as to exercise family rights and fulfill family obligations.
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In addition, it is also possible to cover the basic needs of daily life. This includes contact with the partner who does not live in the same household, individual closest relatives such as parents, children and siblings or important caregivers, although a household is only allowed to meet one person in a second household, the supply of basic everyday goods, the use of health services , the satisfaction of housing needs, the satisfaction of basic religious needs and the care of animals.
Furthermore, people without a vaccination or recovery are allowed to leave their own living area if they die for professional or training purposes, if they are outdoors alone, with people from the common household or for psychological recovery, or if official or judicial proceedings cannot be postponed.
In addition, to participate in statutory elections and to use the instruments of direct democracy provided for by law in order to collect pre-ordered items from the customer area of business premises such as pharmacies, grocery stores, drugstores, health and care services, petrol stations, banks, postal service providers, or car workshops Entering food or at certain gatherings such as extracurricular youth education or top-class sport.
Corona rules in Austria: distance requirement to people from other households
A mask requirement applies in closed rooms in public places. An FFP mask or a mask of at least an equivalent standard must be worn. Children up to the age of six are exempt from this. For children up to the age of 14 and pregnant women, a close-fitting mechanical protection device works in addition to mouth and nose protection.
The mask requirement must also be observed in motor vehicles if people from several households are traveling together. In general, people outside the household should be kept at a distance of two meters.
An FFP mask must also be put on when using taxis, taxi-like transports, school transports, cable cars and cogwheel trains, mass transportation and in the associated stations, platforms, stops, train stations and airports as well as their respective connecting structures. Even coaches and excursion boats in occasional traffic fall under the rule, here 2G must also be observed.
Accommodation in Austria: In exceptional cases, 3G can also be used
In the catering industry, each customer must be assigned a seat. Food and drinks may not be consumed near the dispensing point; this is only permitted while sitting at the dispensing stations. It is also allowed to eat or drink while standing at outdoor snack or catering stands. Night and standing catering as well as bar operations are prohibited.
Accommodation establishments can make an exception to the 2G obligation to provide evidence for the absolutely necessary duration if the person falls under the 3G rule. However, this is only possible when it comes to caring for and providing assistance to people in need of support, there are professional reasons that cannot be postponed, an urgent need for housing has to be met, or when it comes to spa guests or patients and their accompanying persons in a spa or rehabilitation facility acts.
If there are no assigned seats at a meeting in closed rooms, a maximum of 25 people with valid 2G proof may meet. This gilds for family get-togethers, birthday, wedding or Christmas parties. If everyone present is assigned a seat and the 2G rule is observed, up to 2000 people are allowed. In this case, however, a notification requirement applies from 50 people and more than 250 people a permit requirement.
The last two levels also apply outdoors. However, if there are assigned seats, 4,000 people may come together, otherwise there is a maximum of 300. A mask must also be worn outdoors during meetings.
Corona measures in Austria: At 11 p.m. it is also over in theaters, cinemas and sports facilities
For leisure facilities such as leisure and amusement parks, baths, dance schools or zoos, cultural institutions such as museums, libraries, libraries, theaters, cinemas, concert halls and arenas and sports facilities, the curfew at 11 p.m. must be observed in addition to 2G and a mask requirement.
No vaccination or recovery certificate is required for outdoor sports facilities, but joint sporting activities are only permitted with people who die in the same household, the partner who does not live in the same household, individual closest relatives such as parents, children and siblings or individual short caregivers permitted. In principle, only sports without physical contact may be practiced.
Important to know: The vaccination certificate is only valid for 270 days. It is only recognized for 360 days in people who have recovered from an infection. As the “ADAC” reports, violations of lockdown regulations can be penalized with fines of 500 euros or more.
Since Austria is selected as a high-risk area from a German point of view, people without a vaccination or recovery need a PCR or antigen test in addition to the digital entry registration when entering the Federal Republic. A ten-day free examination is possible in this quarantine after five days. Children under the age of twelve do not need a test, but are required to isolate themselves for five days.
For short stays of a maximum of 24 hours in the neighboring country, the digital entry registration and the quarantine obligation do not apply.