Austria: Authorities extend domestic COVID-19 restrictions and tighten entry restrictions, as of Dec. 2 /update 50

Austria extends domestic COVID-19 restrictions and tightens entry restrictions as of Dec. 2. Business and travel disruptions likely.

Event

Austria has extended tightened domestic restrictions imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19 until at least Dec. 11 and amended international entry restrictions as of Dec. 2.

Domestic Restrictions
Nonessential stores are closed, and employers are required to ask employees to work from home. Regardless of vaccination status, individuals are only permitted to leave their homes for essential purposes such as buying groceries, or traveling to work or school, or for medical appointments. Officials have indicated that COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory from Feb. 1, 2022.

Vaccination certificates are valid for 12 months from the second dose; this will be reduced to nine months from Dec. 6; a booster vaccine is required to extend validity beyond this. Certificates of recovery are valid for 180 days. Individuals who have received one dose of the vaccine and possess a negative result from a recent PCR are exempt until Dec. 6.

FFP2 masks are mandatory for all businesses and services which do not require proof of vaccination or recovery, including public transport, retail, and public cultural venues such as museums and libraries. Local authorities have the power to introduce tougher measures if they see fit; tighter measures are in place in some areas as a result.

International Entry Restrictions
As of Dec. 2, travelers from a number of countries with a high incidence of COVID-19 variants are prohibited from entering Austria. These countries currently include South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Those exempt from the travel ban include Austrian citizens and residents, Swiss citizens and residents, EU/EEA citizens and residents, diplomats, and business travelers, among other categories. Permitted travelers must register for pre-travel clearance up to 72 hours ahead of arrival, present a COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours, and self-isolate for 10 days. Additionally, direct flights with the above countries have been indefinitely suspended.

Austria classifies the following as COVID-19 low-risk locations: EU and EEA-associated countries, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kuwait, Macau, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Uruguay, and Vietnam. Travelers from low-risk countries are permitted entry if they can present a certificate of full vaccination against or recovery from COVID-19, a negative PCR test taken in the 72 hours before entry, or a negative antigen test taken in the 48 hours before entry. Travelers unable to meet these requirements must pre-register with authorities and take a test on arrival.

Nonessential travel is permitted from all other countries. Travelers must pre-register for travel, and present proof of full vaccination or recovery from COVID-19, or present a negative COVID-19 test taken in the 72 hours before arrival for PCR tests and 48 hours before arrival for antigen tests, and isolate for 10 days on arrival. Isolation can be ended early following a negative test on day five.

For the required Pre-Travel Clearance form and details on exceptions, click here.

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

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.