Latest information on the coronavirus

+++UPDATE: In addition to Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Slovenia have also declared Vienna a risk area due to the sharp increase in new infections.

Due to a rapid increase in cases, Austria released travel warnings for Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Kuwait, Israel, the Maldives, Paris, Prague, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur und Île-de-France (including Paris) in France. These entered into force on September 28, 2020.  In addition, the entry ban for 6 third countries was lifted. These states are: Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Uruguay.

• Covid-19 tests or quarantine are no longer necessary for a total of 37 countries/regions when entering Austria: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France (except the Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur regions), Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal (except Lisbon and Norte regions), Republic of Korea, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (Canary Islands only), Czech Republic except Prague region, Hungary, Uruguay, Vatican City, United Kingdom, Cyprus.
  

• When entering the country from these risk countries or areas, Austrian, EU and EEA citizens, Swiss as well as citizens of the United Kingdom must carry a health certificate (with a negative PCR test - not older than 72 hours) or must undergo a PCR test within 48 hours of entry: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Egypt, Ecuador, France - only the Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur regions, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Kosovo, Kuwait, Maldives, Mexico, Moldova Montenegro, Nigeria, Northern Macedonia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal - only the Lisbon and Northern regions, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Serbia, Spain (except the Canary Islands), South Africa, Czech Republic - only the Prague region, Turkey, Ukraine, United States (USA), Hubei Province (China).
  

Non-EU, EEA or Swiss nationals from third countries are still subject to an entry ban, unless they come from the Schengen area and can present a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. After entry, these persons must also undergo a ten-day quarantine.

Exceptions: Persons who are nationals of the following third countries may enter without a Covid-19 test and without quarantine: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Uruguay.

Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (English)

Measures in public

Measures to ease restrictions in Austria started on 1 May when the Covid-19 Lockerungsverordnung ordinance entered into force. Lockdown has now been lifted. With the ordinance, rules of conduct, such as the 1-metre distance rule, came into force.

Since September 14, 2020, the obligation to wear masks in closed rooms has applied to the following areas, among others: in all business premises for customers and staff in the customer area (e.g. supermarkets, banks, hairdressers, etc.), in accommodation establishments (hotels) for guests and staff in contact with customers in generally accessible areas, in catering for staff in contact with customers, in museums, exhibitions, libraries, archives and other leisure facilities for guests and staff in contact with customers, at events in closed rooms (except at the allocated seat), in taxis and public transport.

Further information can be found on the website of the Ministry of Health

From September 21, 2020, it is mandatory to wear a mask at religious events, at trade fairs and markets (also outdoors), in restaurants and also in hotels in generally accessible areas (indoors).

Accommodations

From May 29, 2020 the city’s accommodations are open for tourism once again. The following rules for accommodations were published:

• In principle, guests must maintain a minimum distance of one meter from other people at all times unless they are part of a group of guests, live in the same household or the space is arranged in such a way that the risk of infection is minimized through protective measures such as physical space separators.
• A group of guests refers to visitors who are staying in a shared unit of accommodation.
• Wellness and spa facilities can be used, provided that operators have aligned bathing regulations and hygiene measures to the recommendations issued by the Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. Further information on guidelines and recommendations for accommodation providers can be found online at: sichere-gastfreundschaft.at/beherbergung/
• A mask is to be worn in accommodation establishments (hotels) for guests and staff during customer contact in generally accessible areas in closed rooms.

From the beginning of July 2020, voluntary testing for SARS-CoV-2 will be available to employees in commercial accommodation establishments on a regular basis. Further information on this can be found at: www.sichere-gastfreundschaft.at/

Leisure sector and sights

Events

Trade- & public fairs

Additional information regarding guidelines for events are covered by the Ordinance of the Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection in which the Covid-19 Lockerungsverordnung is amended (second amendment regarding easing of Covid-19 restrictions)

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