Austria: Authorities to ease domestic COVID-19-related restrictions from Dec. 7 /update 16

Event

Authorities in Austria will ease a number of domestic restrictions introduced to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from Dec. 7. The new measures that will be in place until Dec. 31 include:

A 2000-0600 curfew will be in effect; residents may only leave home for limited essential purposes during this time.
Individuals may gather in groups of six adults and six children for up to two hours during non-curfew hours.
Events such as birthdays and weddings are prohibited; funerals may take place with up to 50 participants.
Compulsory education facilities will resume in-person teaching.
Nonessential retail may reopen but must close at 1900 each day.
Cultural sites such as museums and libraries, and personal care services, including hairdressers, are permitted to reopen.
Fitness and leisure facilities as well as entertainment venues must remain closed.
Restaurants, bars, and cafes are to remain closed, except for takeaway and delivery services.

All businesses and services permitted to reopen must adhere to strict hygiene and social distancing requirements. Protective facemasks are mandatory in all enclosed public spaces and outdoor public spaces where social distancing of one meter (three feet) cannot be maintained. Officials intend to amend restrictions Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31 to facilitate the Christmas holiday period.

Current international entry restrictions also remain in effect until Dec. 19. Travelers arriving from a country with a travel warning, or anyone who has visited these countries in the preceding 10 days, are required to present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours of arrival, or be tested within 48 hours of arrival and self-isolate while waiting for the result. Authorities have issued travel warnings for multiple countries, including nations within the EU; per the most recent advisory, the Austrian government has designated travel warnings for the following countries:

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria (Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Jambol, Kardzhali, Montana, Plovdiv, Rasgrad, Shumen, Sliven, Smolian, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Targovishte, and Varna), Chile, China (Hubei Province), Costa Rica, Croatia (except Brod-Posavina, Istria, Koprivnica-Krizevci, Osijek-Baranja, Sibenik-Knin, Varazdin, and Zadar), Czech Republic (Prague Region), Ecuador, Egypt, France (Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur and Ile-de-France), India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Kosovo, Kuwait, Maldives, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal (Norte Region and Lisbon), Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain (mainland and Balearic Islands), Turkey, Ukraine, and the US

Travelers from all EU countries without travel warnings, as well as the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Uruguay, are permitted to enter the country without restriction. Travel from all other countries remains prohibited indefinitely; exceptions are in place for health workers, freight workers, diplomats, individuals in transit, and urgent or essential reasons decided on a case-by-case basis. Citizens of countries not currently approved for travel but arriving from within the Schengen Area, Andorra, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, the UK, or the Vatican City are required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test no older than 72 hours upon arrival.

Authorities could amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Context

The measures taken by the Austrian government are similar to actions undertaken by other regional governments in recent weeks following increasing infection rates.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.