ÖIF HOTLINE: Telephone information service
For information on containing the spread of coronavirus in German, the employees of ÖIF are on hand to assist you from Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, and on Friday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm on tel. +43 1/715 10 51 - 263.
The website is continuously updated and expanded with new information.
Status of information: 14.1.2021
The Austrian Federal Government aims to make a thoroughly tested, safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 available to all people in Austria who wish to be vaccinated. It is becoming apparent that the availability of vaccines will initially be limited. It will therefore be necessary to establish priorities for the groups of people who will first be vaccinated. The following criteria will be considered in making this decision:
• reduction of the disease burden caused by COVID-19 (severe courses and hospitalisation) to prevent deaths
• protection of vulnerable groups, such as residents of senior residences and care homes
• protection of people with a particularly high, work-related SARS-CoV-2 infection risk (professional indication)
• containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the population
• keeping the system and critical infrastructure running (food retail, public transport, schools, kindergartens, etc.)
It can be assumed that initially there will not be enough vaccines available to vaccinate everyone in Austria at the same time. What’s more, not all vaccines will be approved for all groups of people. Once it is known which type of vaccine will be available, what its properties and efficacy are, how many doses will be available and for whom they can be used, it will be possible to make a final decision on which target group will be vaccinated at what time. This will also depend on expert medical recommendations against the background of the epidemiological situation.
The nationwide initiative “Österreich impft” (Austria vaccinates) of the Red Cross has set itself the goal of providing objective information about the COVID-19 vaccination.
You can find all further information as well as questions and answers here:
You will find answers to frequently asked questions below in the FAQs.
As in other countries, mass screening is also taking place in Austria. The tests are performed on a voluntary basis. As many people as possible should be tested for COVID-19. The goal is to identify infected individuals who are unaware of their status and in doing so to sustainably contain the occurrence of infection and to break the chain of infection.
The legal basis for the population-wide testing is Sec. 5a of the Austrian Epidemics Act. Positive results must be retested with a PCR test and the authorities will commence the collection of contact details (subject to sufficient capacity in the federal province).
Making an appointment
You can make an appointment for a test via the website österreich.gv.at. The earliest date on which appointments can be made in the individual federal provinces depends on the testing periods in the federal provinces. A testing site can be selected when making the appointment.
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.
The test procedure
The test result will normally be available within 15 minutes. Depending on the testing station, you may be able to wait for the result. If not, it will be sent to you electronically as quickly as possible. People with a positive test result will be sent a notice to self-isolate and will be able to book a second test. If this second test is held within 24 hours and the result is negative, the notice to self-isolate will be repealed.
A negative test result only means that you tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 at the time of testing. The restrictions 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.
More information
You can find more information on the process, how to make an appointment, and the testing in your federal province at the following links:
The coronavirus traffic light is an instrument for showing the current coronavirus situation in Austria and, depending on the individual traffic light colour, enables consistent measures to be taken to contain the spread of coronavirus. The four traffic light colours – green, yellow, orange and red – reflect the current coronavirus risk level of the province or region and give the population an overview of the precautionary measures recommended by the government:
You can find more information at: www.corona-ampel.gv.at
Last updated: 17 September 2020
For information on the current regulations and restrictions that apply to entering Austria in view of the coronavirus pandemic and on currently applicable travel warnings please visit the website of the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs at www.bmeia.gv.at.
The Federal Government is taking protective measures aimed at containing coronavirus (COVID-19). These provisionally apply until 24 January 2021. This document provides you with an overview; you can find detailed information at www.oesterreich.gv.at.
The individual provinces can set their own regional coronavirus safety measures.
Further and more detailed information in German can be found at:
Last updated: 14/1/2021
Measures for Risk Groups:
Persons with previous illnesses receive special protection at their workplace:
A visit to the doctor is not obligatory, nevertheless persons with previous illnesses have a right to special protection.
The wearing of a close-fitting protective device around the nose and mouth(e.g. wearing of face visors is not permitted, for example) is mandatory in the following areas:
Information as at: 14 January 2021
Yes. According to the Federal Government, there will be no general requirement to have the vaccination.
Yes. The vaccination costs will be covered by the Republic of Austria. The vaccination is therefore free of charge for all people living in Austria who want to be vaccinated.
Like other established vaccines, there is a possibility of side effects. It is important to know exactly what these are. Only then is it possible to make a safe decision about who can safely receive the vaccination and who will have more benefits than risks by getting vaccinated.
The most frequent side effects are pain and swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, shivering and high temperature. These immunisation reactions are not dangerous and generally go away on their own within a few days.
There is currently not enough information available as to how long a person is immune to catching the disease again after recovering from a previous infection. Initial findings suggest that natural immunity lasts for several months. It is therefore recommended that you get vaccinated even if you have previously been infected with COVID-19.
All medical doctors in Austria, including those who are in retirement and regardless of their specialism, are authorised to administer the vaccination. This therefore also applies to occupational physicians and school doctors. Students of medicine are also permitted to administer the vaccine in a structured setting under the instruction and supervision of a physician. In addition, graduate health workers and nurses as well as paramedics are permitted to administer COVID-19 vaccinations in accordance with a written medical order.
For as long as the Federal Government mandates the wearing of masks and following the 1 metre rule, these measures must be complied with even if you have been vaccinated.
There is not yet sufficient supply of the vaccine to vaccinate everyone in Austria who would like to be vaccinated. The first doses in Austria will be given to the priority groups identified by the government (health workers, residents of senior and care homes as well as high-risk patients). The offer will be widened to other groups over time. The goal of the Federal Government is to vaccinate all adults interested in being vaccinated during 2021.
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:
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.
No. We urge everyone with symptoms of the disease to comply with the applicable regulations and to call their GP or 1450. You can find more information under FAQ: Health and care.
You can make an appointment for a test via the website österreich.gv.at.
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.
A testing site can be selected when making the appointment.
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.
Ideally your e-card or a photographic form of ID.
No, the test is free of charge.
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.
Due to the steep rise in infections in recent weeks, the Austrian federal government has decided that wide-scale testing to international standards is both necessary and appropriate. Infected individuals without symptoms can be found, enabling them to self-isolate at the earliest opportunity and thus breaking the chain of infection.
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
There is no vaccine. Treatment is symptomatic, i.e. by alleviating the symptoms of the disease, for example by giving antipyretic agents.
Common coronavirus infections affecting humans are mostly mild and symptom-free. Frequent indicators of an infection with the novel coronavirus are, among others, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, or even death. Mild illness courses (symptoms of a cold) as well as infections without any symptoms can occur. Some cases can progress mildly (symptoms of a cold) and some cases do not show any symptoms.
Currently, experts assume that the course of the illness for the novel coronavirus is less severe than for SARS and MERS.
Video "How does the illness manifest itself?" (AGES/Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety)
As of today, there is no definitive information about how dangerous the virus is. For the time being, the novel coronavirus seems to be considerably less dangerous than MERS (with a mortality rate of up to 30 percent) and SARS (approx. 10 percent mortality rate). For the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the assumed mortality rate is up to three percent. Just like for the seasonal flu caused by influenza viruses (mortality rate under 1 percent), especially elderly people and people with a weak immune system are affected.
Video "Wo dangerous is the novel coronavirus?" (AGES/Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety)
Hygiene measures are to be followed, just like during the flu season. The most important and most effective measure to protect yourself and others from getting a respiratory infection are good hand hygiene, correct cough etiquette, and keeping a minimum distance (approx. 1 to 2 meters) to people who might be infected.
More answers to questions about “corona-related short-term working” is available in the latest publication of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labor, Family and Youth.