The following are accepted as proof of having had a test:

• A negative result of a self-administered antigen test, which is recorded in an official data processing system and which was taken not more than 24 hours ago;
• Proof from an authorised facility (e.g. within the scope of Österreich testet – test facilities, pharmacies) of a negative result of an antigen test, which was taken not more than 48 hours ago;
• Proof from an authorised facility of a negative result of a PCR test, which was taken not more than 72 hours ago;
   

Recovered persons are exempt from the testing requirement for six months after they are no longer infectious. The following are accepted as proof of recovery:

• A medical certificate of having recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the last six months, which was confirmed by means of a molecular biological test;
• An exemption certificate issued in the last six months for a person who contracted COVID-19;
• Proof of neutralising antibodies, which is not more than three months old.

The following are accepted as proof of vaccination with a government-approved vaccine against COVID-19:

a) First vaccination, from the 22nd day after the first vaccination, which must not be more than three months ago, or
b) Second vaccination, which must not be more than nine months after the first vaccination, or
c) Vaccination from the 22nd day after the vaccination for vaccines intended to be administered as a single dose, which must not more be more than nine months ago, or
d) Vaccination, if a positive molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 (PCR test) or proof of neutralising antibodies was available at least 21 days before the vaccination, which must not be more than nine months ago.

• Self-tests, such as those performed at home, cannot be used a proof.
• The obligation to present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery does not apply to children under the age of 10 years or children who are at primary school.
• If it is not possible to provide proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, an antigen test for self-administration may exceptionally be performed under the supervision of the operator or a person instructed by the operator of a business or sports venue, a leisure and cultural facility, or under supervision of the person responsible for a gathering. The negative test result must be kept available for the duration of the stay.

The forms of proof shown above must be presented in German or English.

• When accessing public places outdoors, a minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household.
• When accessing public places in enclosed spaces, a minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn.

• Where possible, people should work from home (only as agreed between the employer and employee).
• A minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept in the workplace and nose-mouth protection must be worn in enclosed spaces. This does not apply if physical contact with other people is precluded (working in a single office) or the risk of infection is minimised by means of suitable protective measures (e.g. partition wall).
• precluded (working in a single office) or the risk of infection is minimised by means of suitable protective measures (e.g. partition wall).
• Stricter agreements between employer and employee are possible.
• Operators and employees in the food and beverage service may access the place of work only by presenting the employer with currently valid proof of a negative test result, vaccination or recovery. If a test result cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must also be worn at all times when in direct contact with customers outdoors. 

Professional group testing:

• Certain professional groups must present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery (antigen test or PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 not later than every 7 days, and be able to present that proof throughout the 7-day period; all other proofs are to be kept available for the respective period of validity). These include:
  • Personnel with direct customer contact (e.g.: retail outlets, services in close physical proximity, hotels, transport)
  • Teachers who have contact with pupils and children
  • Personnel working in warehouse logistics who are regularly unable to keep to the minimum distance of 2 metres.
  • Personnel who provide in-person services in administrative authorities and administrative courts.
  • Coaches, trainers and other persons involved in elite sport meets.
• If a test result cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn at all times when in contact with customers, in warehouse logistics environments, or when in contact with schoolchildren.
• Workers in elementary educational institutions (kindergartens, childcare facilities) who have direct contact with children groups must present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery (antigen test or PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 not later than every 7 days, and be able to present that proof throughout the 7-day period; all other proofs are to be kept available for the respective period of validity). If a negative test result can be presented, they will be exempt from the requirement to wear nose-mouth protection. If a test result can not be presented, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn at all times when in contact with children.
   

Services provided in close physical proximity:

• The access of places of work outside of business premises to provide services in close physical proximity, e.g. in the form of home visits, is permitted with proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery. The same applies to the provision of mobile care and support services, for which the proof of testing must be renewed every seven days. An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn when in contact with customers.

Measures for Risk Groups:

Persons with previous illnesses receive special protection at their workplace:

• High-risk patients can either directly contact their doctor or obtain a letter from their social insurance agency, which they can take to their doctor.
• On the basis of a checklist, the doctor produces a certificate which the employee gives to the employer in order to receive protection.
• The employee has three options:
  • They can arrange their own safety at work, for instance a larger room or a specific work environment to minimise the risk of infection.
  • If this is not possible, working from home should be considered.
  • If this is also not possible, the employee should be released from employment; the costs of the refinancing are borne at federal level.

A visit to the doctor is not obligatory, nevertheless persons with previous illnesses have a right to special protection.

• All children should attend school in person. The requirement for attending classes in person is proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery.
• Pupils in primary and special schools must wear nose-mouth protection outside of classrooms and group rooms.
• Pupils in secondary schools and AHS lower grades must wear nose-mouth protection everywhere inside the school building, including inside the classrooms.
• Pupils in the higher grades must wear an FFP 2 mask everywhere inside the school building, including inside the classrooms, as well as when making purchases anywhere inside the school building (e.g. in the canteen/cafeteria).
• Kindergartens and other elementary educational institutions are open in compliance with increased hygiene and prevention measures for all children in need of supervision.
• Everyone who enters and remains inside a school building for any length of time must wear nose-mouth protection.
• Teaching will continue to take place mainly online at universities.

• A minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept on public transport and in the related stations and waiting areas, and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn in enclosed spaces.
• This rule may exceptionally be deviated from if the number of passengers makes it impossible to maintain a minimum distance of 1 metre, including when boarding and alighting.
• An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn for the entire journey.
• These regulations are also applicable to the use of cableways and rack railways. An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn in the entrance area and during conveyance in enclosed or coverable cableways and rack railways (e.g. gondolas, cabins, coverable chairlifts).
• Enclosed or coverable cableways and rack railways (e.g. gondolas, cabins, coverable chairlifts) may only run at 75% capacity. For example, only 6 people may be transported in a chairlift designed for 8 people. This does not apply to persons living in the same household.
• The shared use of motor vehicles by persons who do not live in the same household is permitted if no more than two people (incl. driver) sit on each bench of seats and everyone wears an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve. This also applies to taxis and taxi-like operations. This can be deviated from when conveying people with disabilities or schoolchildren if this is required due to the number of passengers.

• The access of retail premises is permitted between 5.00 am and 12.00 midnight. Longer opening hours apply to pharmacies, (e-)filling stations and car washes, as well as for business premises in railway stations and airports.
• When accessing customer areas, a minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household (including in outdoor markets) and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn.
• The conditions for professional group testingapply to the operators of business premises and their employees who come into direct contact with customers. If no such proof is provided, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn when in contact with customers.
• The operators of business premises must ensure that the maximum number of customers present on the premises at the same time does not exceed the ratio of one customer per 10 m² (if the customer area is smaller than 10 m², only one person may enter). The same also applies to physically connected business premises (e.g. shopping centres and market halls).
• The access of physically connected business premises (e.g. shopping centres, market halls), including corridors, lifts and stairwells, as well as other publicly accessible areas, is permitted for customers, but only for the purpose of passing through the customer areas of the business premises. In particular, the consumption of food and drink is not permitted.
• The access of companies offering services in close physical proximity (hairdressers, wig makers, beauticians, nail bars, piercing and tattoo studios, massage studios, pedicurists), as well as leisure facilities, is permitted if the customer is able to present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay. In addition, when utilising services provided in close physical proximity, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn.
• Services provided in close physical proximity, including in the form of home visits, are permitted.
• Other services may only be provided to as many people as are required to provide the service.

Senior and care homes as well as inpatient residential facilities for the disabled

Rules for employees:

• Proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery must be presented every seven days (antigen test or PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 is to be presented every 7 days at the latest, and kept available for the duration of the 7-day period; all other proofs are to be kept available for the respective period of validity).
• A CPA mask or an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn at all times when in contact with residents.

Rules for residents:

• Proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery must be presented before readmission.
• The operators must offer their residents weekly COVID-19 tests.
• In addition for senior and care homes: An antigen test or a PCR test must be offered at least every 3 days when readmitting residents who left the home within the previous 7 days.
• A maximum of three visitors per resident will be admitted per day. This does not apply to visits involving palliative and hospice care, as well as pastoral care and support with critical life events.
• Exemptions are in place for under-age residents or residents in need of assistance, for whom an additional maximum of two people per resident will be admitted.

Rules for visitors and escorts:

• Visitors must present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.
• In addition, visitors and escorts must keep a minimum distance of 2 metres from people who do not live in the same household and wear an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve at all times (if no other suitable protective device is available for spatial separation).

Hospitals and health spas and other places that provide health services

Rules for employees:

• Proof of a negative test, vaccination or recoverymust be presented every seven days, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.
• A CPA mask or an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn at all times when in contact with residents.

Rules for patients:

• One visitor per day may be admitted for each patient. Exemptions exist for patients who are under-aged or in need of assistance, pregnant women (pre- and post-natal), as well as for visits involving palliative and hospice care, as well as pastoral care and for support with critical life events. An additional maximum of two people per resident may be admitted for these patients.

Rules for visitors and escorts:

• Proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery must be presented, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay. This does not apply to escorts in the case of childbirth.
• A minimum distance of 2 metres must be kept from people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve worn at all times (if no other suitable protective device is available for spatial separation).

• An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn and a minimum distance of 1 metre kept between people who do not live in the same household when attending administrative authorities and administrative courts in person.

• Dining establishments may be open between 5.00 am and 12.00 midnight. Delivery services may continue 24 hours a day.
• Groups of visitors with a maximum of 8 people from different households plus their under-age children (or under-age children requiring supervision), or groups of visitors who live in the same household, are permitted in enclosed spaces.
• Groups of visitors with a maximum of 16 people plus their under-age children (or under-age children requiring supervision), or groups of visitors who live in the same household, are permitted outdoors enclosed spaces.
• The operators may only admit customers if these present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay. This does not apply to snack and food stands outdoors, such as sausage stands.
• A minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept from other people (who do not belong to the group of visitors) and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn when entering the restaurant until the table is reached and when leaving the table.
• The operators must ensure that a minimum distance of 1 metre is kept between the groups of visitors or other suitable protective measures are put in place to ensure spatial separation.
• Food and drink must not be consumed in the immediate vicinity of the serving point (i.e. no consumption at the counter). Consumption is only permitted when seated at the designated tables. Exempt from this is the consumption of food and drink outdoors at snack and food stands (e.g. sausage stands).
• Self-service is only permitted if the risk of infection can be minimised through special hygiene precautions.
• The opening times and maximum visitor numbers shown above do not apply to the following food and beverage establishments, and there is no requirement to present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery.
  This includes food and beverage establishments in:
  • hospitals and health spas,
  • senior, care and disabled facilities,
  • facilities for supporting/accommodating children and young people (including schools and kindergartens),
  • businesses,
  • public transport, if food and drink are served exclusively to passengers.
• Food and drink may be collected between 5.00 am and 12.00 midnight on the basis that it is not consumed on site (or within a radius of 50 metres of the restaurant business). At the time of collection, a minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn. No food or drink may be consumed within a radius of 50 metres of the restaurant business between 12.00 midnight and 5.00 am of the following day.

• Accommodation providers may open again. This also includes supervised camping and caravan sites, cabin vessels, as well as shelter chalets.
• The operators may only admit customers for the first time if these presentproof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay. In publicly accessible areas, a minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and are not accommodated in the same residential unit, and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn in enclosed spaces.
• The regulations for dining apply in the dining area of accommodation establishments.  The rules for sport and leisure facilities apply in the sport and leisure facilities of accommodation providers. People who are accommodated in a shared residential unit are treated the same as people who live in the same household.
• For operators of these business premises and their employees who have direct contact with customers, the regulations for professional group testing apply.
• In communal bedrooms and sleeping accommodation, a distance of at least 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household. If this is not possible, one sleeping space must be left vacant between the groups of visitors.

• In enclosed spaced of facilities used for religious purposes, a minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn.
• The minimum distance may be deviated from when performing religious rites.

• Gatherings are permitted only under the following conditions:
  • In enclosed spaces, a maximum of 8 people from different households plus their under-age children (or under-age children requiring supervision) are permitted to gather.
  • At gatherings of max. 8 people (plus under-age children), there is no need to wear an FFP2 mask or keep to the minimum distance of 1 metre.
  • Outdoors, max. 16 people from different households plus under-age children are permitted to gather.
  • Gatherings of more than 17 people are permitted if the gathering has been notified to the authorities and the participants are able to present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the gathering.
• Gatherings of up to 50 participants without allocated and identified seats (9 or more people in enclosed spaces, 17 or more people outdoors) are permitted under the following conditions:
  • The person in charge must notify the locally responsible district administrative authority of the gathering not later than one week beforehand.
  • Participants may only be admitted if they present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.
  • No food or drinks may be consumed in enclosed spaces. The regulations for food and beverage services apply to this outdoors.
  • A minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household.
  • An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn in enclosed spaces.
  • This includes, for example, birthday parties and wedding parties.
• Gatherings (from 9 people and) up to 1,500 participants in enclosed spaces with allocated and identified seats and (from 17 people and) up to 3,000 participants outdoors are permitted under the following conditions:
  • The maximum permitted number of people present must not exceed 75% of the capacity of the venue;
  • Gatherings of up to 50 people must be notified to the locally responsible district administrative authority not later than one week beforehand. For gatherings of 51 or more people, a permit must obtained from the locally responsible district administrative authority. This also applies to trade and public fairs.
  • Participants may only be admitted if they present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.
  • The rules for the food and beverage sector apply to the dispensing of meals and drinks.
  • A minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household or belong to the same group of visitors. This does not apply if the minimum distance cannot be kept due to the arrangement of the seats. In this case, at least one seat must be left vacant to the side, between the tables of groups of visitors.
  • An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn in enclosed spaces.
  • At gatherings of more than 50 people, a COVID-19 officer is to be designated, and a COVID-19 prevention plan developed and implemented.
• Several gatherings may take place in the same place at the same time, if the maximum numbers per gathering indicated above are not exceeded and suitable measures are put in place to prevent the participants from mixing.
• Exceptions to the indicated rules apply to the following gatherings:
  • Gatherings in private living areas, with the exception of gatherings in places that do not serve to satisfy an immediate housing need, such as, in particular, garages, gardens, sheds or barns.
  • Business meetings, if these are required to maintain the professional activity.
  • Funerals
  • Gatherings for professional training and development purposes or for the fulfilment of required integration measures in accordance with the Integration Act, for preparing and holding driver and advanced driver training, as well as general driving tests and final professional examinations.
    • In addition to the general safety precautions, participants may only be admitted if they present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the gathering.
    • If the minimum distance of 1 metre between people and/or people cannot comply with the requirement to wear an FFP2 mask due to the specific nature of a training or training and development course, other suitable protective measures must be taken to minimise the risk of infection.
  • Gatherings under the Austrian Assembly Act (demonstrations)
  • Gatherings in private sports venues 
• A minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask must be worn.
   

Admission to the visitor area of trade and public fairs is permitted between 5.00 am and 12.00 midnight under the following conditions:

• A minimum distance of 1 metre from other visitors is to be kept.
• An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn in enclosed spaces.
• Each visitor must have 10 m² of the calculated space available to them.
• Visitors may only be admitted if they present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the visit to the fair.
   

Admission to cultural institutions is permitted again under the following conditions. They cover museums, exhibition halls, libraries and bookshops, amongst others.

• During a visit, a minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn in enclosed spaces.
• The operators must ensure that the maximum number of visitors present in the cultural institution or library at the same time does not exceed the ratio of one customer per 10 m² (if the visitor area is smaller than 10 m², only one person may enter at a time).

Admission to sports venues is permitted under certain conditions between 5.00 am and 12.00 midnight:

• For sports venues in enclosed spaces, the operators must ensure that the maximum number of customers present on the premises at the same time does not exceed the ratio of one customer per 10 m²; if the customer area is smaller than 10 m², only one person plus the people living in the same household may enter the customer area of the business premises.
• The customer must keep a minimum distance of 1 metre from people who do not live in the same household, and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn, except when practising sports or in wetrooms. Compliance with the minimum distance does not apply when practising types of sport involving body contact, for brief moments of coming closer than the minimum distance when practising sports, as well as when providing necessary security and assistance.
• The operators of private sports venues may only admit customers if these present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.
• The operators of private sports venues must appoint a COVID-19 officer, and develop and implement a COVID-19 prevention plan.

Admission to leisure facilities is permitted between 5.00 am and 12.00 midnight. This includes swimming pools, dance schools, indoor playgrounds, animal parks, botanical gardens and zoos. Admission to these leisure facilities is permitted under the following conditions:

• During a visit, a minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn in enclosed spaces.
• The operators must ensure that the maximum number of visitors present in the leisure facility at the same time does not exceed the ratio of one visitor per 10 m² (if the visitor area is smaller than 10 m², only one person may enter at a time).
• The operators may only admit customers if these present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.
   

Extracurricular youth education and youth work or gatherings at supervised holiday camps are permitted for a maximum of 50 people.

• Participants may only be admitted if, upon first entering the holiday camp or gathering, they present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the gathering or the duration of the holiday camp.
• The supervisors must present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery every seven days at the latest or wear an FFP 2 mask without exhalation valve when in contact with participants and other supervisors.

The national COOVID-19 vaccination schedule stipulates the sequence in which people will receive a coronavirus vaccination in Austria. This COVID-19 vaccination schedule was drawn up by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, based on the recommendations of the National Vaccination Committee. It runs in three phases. In view of the available vaccines, consideration is primarily given to vulnerable groups of people, i.e. people with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease or people with an increased risk of infection. The COVID-19 vaccination schedule is the binding guideline for all vaccination centres in Austria.
The top priority is to use the available vaccines in the best way possible as well as to administer each available dose of vaccine. The disposal of unused vaccine is to be avoided at all costs.

You can find the current COVID-19 vaccination schedule on the page on implementation and organisation.

The federal provinces are responsible for the actual implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination schedule. They regulate the actual planning, organisation and administering of the coronavirus vaccinations.

Yes. Within the prioritised groups, certain people can be vaccinated earlier if the available scientific data, the current recommendation of the National Vaccination Committee or the epidemiological situation in the relevant area make this necessary.

It is also possible to deviate from the sequence of the specified prioritisation in individual cases, if this is necessary for the efficient organisation of the coronavirus vaccination and for the last-minute avoidance of disposing of vaccines. Any leftover doses of vaccine should be administered as quickly as possible, even if this sometimes means that vaccines are administered to people who do not fall within the target group to be vaccinated at the respective time.

Due to the complex vaccine storage requirements and the need to administer multiple doses, it may also be necessary to deviate slightly from the stipulations of the COVID-19 vaccination schedule in terms of organisation and logistics.

Making an appointment for a coronavirus vaccination is done via the appointment platform of the respective federal provinces: Coronavirus vaccination - Make an appointment now!

The following documents must be brought along to your vaccination appointment:

• Your social insurance number (E-Card)
• Your vaccination pass (if available)
• Your allergy pass (if available)
• Optional: “Information and documentation sheet on COVID-19 vaccination”.

• General practitioners and specialist consultants,
• Occupational physicians and school doctors,
• Interns in collaboration with physicians authorised to independently exercise the profession,
• Retired doctors in collaboration with physicians authorised to independently exercise the profession,
• Foreign doctors in collaboration with physicians authorised to independently exercise the profession,
• Students of medicine under the instruction and supervision of a physician (e.g. in a vaccination centre on behalf of the regional health board),
• Graduate healthcare workers and nurses in accordance with the written instructions of a physician,
• Rescue or emergency paramedics on the instruction and under the supervision of a physician, once they have completed appropriate training.

All individuals authorised to administer the vaccine may also prepare the vaccination under the applicable conditions; such preparation may also be performed by suitable pharmaceutical personnel.

The professional requirements for administering the coronavirus vaccination are regulated in the “Decree on professional requirements for administering COVID-19 vaccinations” of 03.12.2020 (although this does not yet contain the vaccination authorisation for rescue and emergency paramedics).

According to the technical information, the Comirnaty vaccine manufactured by the company BioNTech/Pfizer is administered as two partial vaccinations 19-42 days apart. According to the technical information, the vaccine COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna manufactured by the company Moderna is administered as two partial vaccinations 21-42 days apart.

Due to the present epidemiological situation in Austria and the current vaccination progress, the National Vaccination Committee recommends extending the interval for the two available mRNA vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna: the second vaccination should take place in the 6th week after the first vaccination. Vaccination appointments that have already been made must not be postponed.

The vaccine Vaxzevria manufactured by the company AstraZeneca is administered as two partial vaccinations; the National Vaccination Committee recommends an interval of 11-12 weeks.

The vaccine COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen manufactured by the company Johnson&Johnson (Janssen) is administered as a single vaccination.

The final duration of protection offered following vaccination against coronavirus is not known for any of the licensed vaccines at the present time. It is therefore also not known when/whether boosters will be needed. Appropriate recommendations will be available from the further findings of further studies.

According to current scientific findings, the coronavirus vaccination offers individual protection. On a personal level, the vaccination means that the risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 and falling seriously ill with or even dying from COVID-19 is minimised. Should an individual exceptionally fall ill with COVID-19 despite having been vaccinated, the disease will be much milder while complications and death will be avoided.
It can also be assumed that the coronavirus vaccination leads to a lower viral load and that vaccinated individuals are therefore less infectious. Based on empirical data so far, it is assumed that the coronavirus vaccination also leads to lower levels of transmission of the virus.

A certain level of protection can be expected from the 22nd day after the 1st dose for all available vaccines. However, this is not necessarily true for everyone and may vary from person to person. It is therefore very important that all recommended vaccinations are administered at the recommended interval in order to obtain full immunisation.

A second partial vaccination of the respective vaccine must be administered depending on the vaccine and technical information in order to guarantee complete and lasting protection. Should an individual exceptionally be infected with SARS-CoV-2 or fall ill with COVID-19 despite having been vaccinated, the disease will be much milder while complications and death will be largely avoided.

According to the current state of knowledge, the coronavirus vaccination offers individual protection. The increasing amount of data accumulated from the use of COVID-19 vaccines also shows that vaccinated people shed lower quantities of virus due to having a lower viral load, and are therefore less infectious than people who have not been vaccinated. The final effect of this is not yet determinable (quantifiable) and may also depend on the vaccine and on the infecting SARS-CoV-2 variant.

There are also people who have had a symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequently become reinfected, but here again it is assumed that they do not play a significant role in transmission of the disease. This was taken into consideration accordingly within the scope of contact person management in the case of contact with a person who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Should vaccinated people come into close contact with a person who has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, these people can be deemed category II contact persons (from the 22nd day after the first dose to six months after the second dose).

The applicable protective measures such as, for example, the mandatory wearing of respirators of protective class FFP2 (FFP2 masks) without respirator valve or masks of at least an equivalent standard, or the general restrictions on going out must be complied with until sufficient numbers of people have received a coronavirus vaccination.

People with known allergies, such as to aeroallergens like pollen or house dust, can and should be vaccinated against COVID-19. Any allergies will be discussed in the explanatory discussion with the attending physician. Allergy passes must therefore be brought along to the vaccination appointment as they contain information on possible allergens. People with allergies are required to wait at the vaccination centre under medical supervision for 30 minutes after the coronavirus vaccination.

If you have ever had an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after a previous vaccination, you must tell the doctor before you receive the coronavirus vaccination.

There is a limited amount of data available on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women, although none of these have reported anything conspicuous.

Data have since been published, in particular on mRNA vaccines, which is why the vaccination of pregnant women with mRNA vaccines is preferred. Pregnant women have a high risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19. Following a careful, individual benefit-risk evaluation, pregnant women can be vaccinated against COVID-19 with an mRNA vaccine. This is an off-label application that should be referred to in a documented manner. Postponement of the vaccine to the second or third trimester is indicated as a precautionary measure to counter any theoretical concerns.

A routine pregnancy test is not necessary prior to vaccination. In the event of a pregnancy that begins around the administering of a vaccine, there is no indication for termination of the pregnancy. Neither is the pregnancy to be categorised as a risky pregnancy.

Numerous studies are currently being carried out into the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines in children. In April 2021, BioNTech/Pfizer applied for approval of the Comirnaty vaccine for over 12-year-olds, which is currently being verified by the European Medicines Agency.

People with an acute infection should be vaccinated against COVID-19 only when they are fully recovered and healthy again.

A vaccination against COVID-19 is not necessary within the next 6 to 8 months if a person has already had and recovered from an infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the infection was also confirmed by a molecular biological test (e.g. PCR). With a positive neutralisation test (no correlates!), vaccination should be postponed for 3 months. The administering of a dose of vaccine is recommended after that in both cases.

If a SARS-CoV-2 infection has been confirmed by means of a molecular biological test in the period between the first and second dose, the second dose should, according to the current state of knowledge, be postponed for 6-8 months.

The coronavirus vaccination reduces the risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 and falling seriously ill with or even dying from COVID-19. It can also be assumed that the vaccination results in a lower viral load and that vaccinated individuals are therefore less infectious.

However, as a certain number of residents of senior and care homes cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, certain test and hygiene measures must continue to be applied during the present pandemic to protect these people in order to avoid an uncontrolled outbreak of infections with SARS-CoV-2 amongst those residents who have not been vaccinated.

Until further data are available, the existing testing programmes and hygiene measures must continue.

Yes. Known reactions often occur after the coronavirus vaccination, but these normally go away of their own accord again within a few days. Pain, redness and swelling can very commonly occur at the injection site. Other very common adverse reactions include tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, nausea/vomiting, chills or fever. Very common means that more than one in ten vaccinated people are affected.

The doctor who is responsible for you (or you yourself) can report suspected side effects at nebenwirkung.basg.gv.at. Further information on reporting suspected side effects is available at www.basg.gv.at/marktbeobachtung/meldewesen/nebenwirkungen.

The Vaccination Damage Act covers such impairments to health. Under this law, the government must pay compensation for damage that was caused by vaccinations. The regulation covers those vaccines that are recommended in the interest of public health in accordance with the regulation on recommended vaccines for averting a danger to the general health of the population. The coronavirus vaccination has been added to this regulation.

Yes. Each approved vaccine is effective, extensively tested and suitable for preventing severe disease and death. When discussing the “percentage of protection”, it should be remembered that there is no vaccine that guarantees one hundred percent protection.

Full coronavirus vaccination minimises the risk of becoming seriously ill with or dying from COVID-19. The coronavirus vaccination currently offers the most effective individual protection against illness. Should an individual exceptionally be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and fall ill with COVID-19 despite having been vaccinated, the disease will be much milder while complications and death will be largely avoided.

It not definitely known at present whether the available vaccines can impact the transmission of an infection with SARS-CoV-2 or only offer personal protection (individual protection). Studies have shown that, despite being vaccinated, ill people exhibit lower levels of viral shedding (reduced viral load) and are therefore less infectious, and that a coronavirus vaccination results in less transmission of the virus. This effect is cannot yet be finally determined and may also depend on the vaccine and on the infecting SARS-CoV-2 variant. Protective measures such as, for example, the mandatory wearing of respirators of protective class FFP2 (FFP2 masks) without respirator valve or masks of at least an equivalent standard, or mandatory quarantine upon arriving in Austria, or the general restrictions on going out must remain in place until sufficient numbers of people have received a coronavirus vaccination and corresponding data are available.

Testing is performed on a voluntary basis. These large-scale tests aim at testing as many people as possible for COVID-19. The goal is to identify infected individuals and thus effectively contain the occurrence of infection.

All citizens from school age who reside in Austria can participate. People who are in Austria for employment or education may also participate. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The following people will not be tested:

• those who have symptoms indicating infection with COVID-19 (in this case, please contact your GP or the health hotline on 1450)
• those who are housebound due to another illness,
• those who have been required by the authorities to self-isolate in the last three months due to a positive SARS-CoV-2 test,
• those who are currently in quarantine, self-isolation or in self-isolation within the home,
• those who are already earmarked for another official test appointment,
• those who are regularly tested by virtue of their work (e.g. health workers), and
• children who are not yet in compulsory schooling.

People who have been admitted to hospital and residents of senior and care homes are not the target group of these tests. The latter are regularly tested under other arrangements.

Pharmacies perform free COVID-19 antigen tests only on asymptomatic people with valid social insurance. If you have symptoms such as coughing, sniffing or shortness of breath or have lost your sense of smell and taste, please contact your general practitioner or call the health hotline on 1450.

Some federal provinces have their own test centres for people with symptoms. Please refer to the websites of the respective federal provinces for more information.

The costs of COVID-19 testing are initially covered only for people insured under the umbrella association of social insurance providers (ÖGK - former regional health insurance funds, SVS-GW - Industry, SVS-LW - Agriculture, BVAEB-OEB - Civil Servants and BVAEB-EB - Railways and Mining) as well as for people insured with KFA Vienna, KFA Graz, KFA Salzburg and the Upper Austrian Sickness and Accident Insurance for Teachers.

Work is already being done on a solution for individuals insured with other health funds. In the interim, affected individuals can make use of the free testing provided at the test centres operated by the federal provinces and municipalities.

Individuals who only have private insurance must pay for the test themselves and can submit a claim for reimbursement to their insurer.

You must make an appointment at the pharmacy of your choice: either via “Österreich testet” or by calling freephone 0800 / 220 330, which is available daily from 7am to 10pm.

If anyone is unable to make an appointment online, they can have their appointment made for them by someone in a position of trust. For this reason, multiple bookings may be made via a single mobile phone number or email address. The appointment confirmations and test results will be returned with a code indicating which person they are for. The code comprises the person’s initials and the last two digits of their year of birth.

Some federal provinces also offer the possibility to make a booking by phone.

Take your e-card with you to your test appointment. This will be used for identification purposes.

The antigen tests will be performed by medical professionals. If a PCR test is required following a positive antigen test result, the swab for this will also be performed by medical staff. Administrative aspects will be carried out by staff of the provincial administration and the municipalities, the Armed Forces, the Red Cross, the Voluntary Fire Brigades and other volunteers.

The result will be sent to you electronically in the form of a link. As health-related data are involved, you must identify yourself in order to gain access to your test result. The test result will be provided in the form of an officially signed document that you can view, save and print out.

The affected person will be required by the authorities to self-isolate and retested with a PCR test. The details of people who were at risk of contact in the 48 hours prior to the test being performed will be collected. If the positive antigen test is confirmed by the PCR test, the people who came into contact with the infected person will immediately be required by the authorities to self-isolate.

If the result of the PCR test is negative, the requirement for the infected person to self-isolate will be lifted and the people who came into contact with the suspected case will not be contacted.

For a confirmed positive result: If there are no symptoms during self-isolation, the self-isolation may be terminated after 10 days. If symptoms occur during the 10-day period of self-isolation, the GP should be contacted. In the event of mild symptoms, the period of self-isolation can be terminated 48 hours after the symptoms cease (except for a persistent loss of taste, which does not prevent termination), but after 10 days at the earliest. You can find details on this in the recommendation for the release of COVID-19 cases from self-isolation.

Where possible, the PCR retest should be performed immediately and at the same test station in which the antigen test was performed. In any event, the PCR retest should be performed within 24 hours.

An online appointment will enable rapid processing on the day of the test. The test result will be available in 15-30 minutes. In case of a positive result, another swab will be arranged for the PCR test and further steps taken. Also see: What happens if the result of the antigen test is positive?

A negative test result only means that you tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 at the time of testing. The measures based on the COVID-19 emergency regulations and the general hygiene recommendations (social distancing, hand washing and limiting social contacts) continue to apply regardless of the test results.

Antigen tests by means of a nasal swab will be performed (Siemens and Roche). PRC tests by means of a nasal swab will also be performed as required.

The details of each individual will be taken and an appointment made for each person. Certain types of appointment are available at each testing station. If you want to be tested together with your family, we recommend selecting the same appointment. The booking can be made for the whole family with the same contact details (mobile phone number or email address).

No, testing under this Austria-wide programme is voluntary.

Each positive test result is retested with a PCR test. This prevents false-positive results.

No. If you test positive for SARS-CoV-2 following a test, you must notify your employer yourself.

This programme involves testing pursuant to Sec. 5a Epidemics Act

The ELGA service line is available nationwide on 050 124 4411, weekdays from Monday to Friday, from 7am to 7pm, for general questions about the free self-test kits.

You can find more information on the website of ELGA.

In principle, self-test kits can be dispensed at all participating pharmacies. To ensure you get yours, please get in touch with your preferred pharmacy either online or by phone.

People who aren’t currently participating in ELGA can fill out an application form at www.sozialversicherung.at/covidtests. If you have valid health insurance claim, you will be sent a confirmation letter in the post.

After presenting the confirmation letter at any public pharmacy, the person will receive five free self-test kits a month. Each issue will be recorded by the pharmacy with a stamp on the confirmation letter.

As the process only started on 20 April 2021, the first five free test kits can be redeemed up until 15 May 2021 for applications made in April.

You can find more information on the website of ELGA.

If you rejoin ELGA and pass the entitlement check, a prescription will be saved in the E-Medication service on the first day of the next month. It is not possible to rejoin “retrospectively”.

If you do not participate in ELGA, it is still possible for you to get the free self-test kits with your confirmation letter. The application form can be filled out at www.sozialversicherung.at/covidtests. Should your participation status change, you will automatically receive the free self-test kits in future as a participant in ELGA. This renders the confirmation letter obsolete.

In companies with 50 or more employees, the occupational physician is responsible for testing. If a company has fewer than 50 employees, tests will be performed in cooperation with, for example, doctors, pharmacies, emergency services or companies. These are also responsible for taking samples.

Before the data are processed, the data protection declaration must be signed by the people who are going to be tested. The companies are required to collect these declarations.

The declarations are also subject to the stringent guidelines of the General Data Protection Regulation. All collected data, including the test result, are entered into the screening register, and positive test results additionally into the Epidemiological Reporting System.

Only occupational physicians and authorised medical staff have access to the test results. The employer can only view the anonymised total numbers, but not the data of tested individuals.

As testing in businesses is part of a subsidised programme, the business is not allowed to charge an additional fee. The tests are free of charge.

You can find full information on the website of the Austrian Economic Chamber.

All citizens from school age who are resident in Austria can participate. People who are in Austria for employment or education may also participate. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

When you go for your free test, take the slip you received after making the appointment. This can be presented in electronic or printed form. An individual is identified by means of a photographic form of ID. In some federal provinces, it is also necessary to present the e-card. Please refer to the websites of the federal provinces for more detailed information.

You must also take along and wear an FFP2 mask.

The booked appointment can be cancelled at any time. You can do this by clicking on the link sent to you in the appointment email. You will be asked to confirm this by entering your date of birth. If you made your appointment by phone, please call 0800 / 220 330 again.

You can print out the appointment slip again at any time. You can do this by clicking on the link sent to you in the appointment email. You will be asked to confirm this by entering your date of birth.

If your date of birth is repeatedly entered incorrectly when inquiring about the test result, access will be blocked for security reasons. To remove this block, please call the hotline on 0800 / 220 330.

Person-to-person transmission represents the main route of infection. In addition to the secretions of the respiratory tract and saliva, excretions (urine, stool) and bodily fluids (blood, pleural fluid, joint punctates, etc.) could also be infectious. The transmission of the virus from a contagious person to another person can take place 1 to 2 days before the onset of symptoms. Transmission by people who were infected and contagious but did not fall ill (asymptomatic transmission) is also possible, but plays a subordinate role, according to the current state of knowledge.

The following actions are recommended:

• Wash your hands several times a day with water and soap or an alcohol-based disinfectant
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (not with your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• Avoid direct contact with other people (minimum distance 2 metres)
• Vaccination

Infections in people with usual coronaviruses are mostly mild and asymptomatic. Common signs of infection with the novel coronavirus include fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms are loss of smell and taste, diarrhoea and vomiting. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. There are also mild forms of infection (cold-like symptoms) and asymptomatic infections.

Treatment is symptom-based, i.e. by alleviating the symptoms of the disease, e.g. through the administration of antipyretics to reduce fever.