Please note the special regulations for Vienna as specified under “Regional measures for Vienna”.

TESTED

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 24 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

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.
   

VACCINATED

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

1. Second dose of vaccination, whereby this must not have taken place more than one year previously and at least 14 days have elapsed between the first and second dose of vaccination, or
2. Vaccination with a single-dose vaccine as from the 22^nd day after the vaccination – with the vaccination not more than nine months ago, or
3. 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 one year ago.
4. Additional vaccination (booster vaccination), whereby this must not have taken place more than one year previously and at least 120 days have elapsed between this and the first dose of vaccination.

Proof of first dose of vaccination does not count as 3G proof!

• Self-tests, such as those performed at home, cannot be used as proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, unless they have been digitally recorded.
• The obligation to present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery does not apply to children under the age of 12 years.
• The requirement to get tested is also removed for people who cannot be expected to comply for reasons owing to their health or a specific disability, in particular those with dementia. If these people have proof of recovery or vaccination, this must be presented.
• 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.
 

The falsification and use of falsified COVID-19 test certificates and proofs of vaccination are criminal offences in Austria and can entail fines and/or imprisonment.
 

Choose only official test centres for your COVID-19 tests. For information on how to register for COVID-19 testing in Austrian test centres and pharmacies, please refer to the section “Population-wide COVID-19 testing in Austria”  

• When accessing public areas in enclosed spaces, an FFP2 mask must be worn.

• Operators of business premises with more than 51 employees must develop and implement a COVID-19 prevention plan to minimise the risk of infection.
• For proprietors, operators and employees with direct customer contact, teachers, as well as in in-person situations, the regulations for professional groups with customer contact apply. Protection is worn in enclosed spaces when in direct customer contact.
• Entering work locations outside of business premises (e.g. to provide services in close physical proximity in the form of home visits) is permitted if an FFP2 mask is worn in enclosed spaces when in direct customer contact.
• Stricter agreements between employer and employee are possible.
   

Professional groups with customer contact

• Certain professional groups must wear FFP2 masks in contact with customers or providing in-person services if the risk of infection is not minimised by other suitable protective measures (e.g. a perspex screen).
  • Proprietors, operators and personnel with direct customer contact (e.g.: retail outlets, services in close physical proximity, hotels, transport
  • Personnel who provide in-person services in administrative authorities and administrative courts.
• The requirement to wear a mask is removed if the aforementioned professional groups and customers or parties are able to present 3G proof (3G rule: vaccinated, tested, recovered). 
• Owners, operators and workers who come into direct contact with customers in the retail sector (clothing shops, shopping centres, market halls, etc.) must wear an FFP2 mask unless proof of vaccination or recovery can be shown.

Services provided in close physical proximity:

• There is no need to wear an FFP2 mask when providing services in close physical proximity if this required to provide the service.
• Customers may only be admitted for the utilisation of services provided in close proximity if they present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery and keep this available for the duration of the stay. There is no obligation to wear a mask.
• When providing mobile care and support services, 3G proof must also be presented with the test certificate being renewed every seven days. In addition, mouth and nose protection must be worn when in contact with customers in enclosed spaces. If the 3G proof is no longer valid, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or CPA respirator mask must be worn when in contact with customers in enclosed spaces.

• Pupils of all schools must attend classes in person.
  
  School start:
• During the first three weeks of school, all pupils will be tested three times per week at the school (2 antigen tests, 1 PCR test (“ALLES SPÜLT”)). This includes pupils who are vaccinated or have recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection. 
• Teachers and administrative staff must also carry out a COVID-19 test three times per week, with antigen self-tests being sufficient for teachers and administrative staff who are vaccinated. Non-vaccinated teachers and administrative personnel have to present the result of at least one externally performed PCR test per week,
• Pupils, teachers and administrative personnel must wear nose-mouth protection outside the classrooms and group rooms.
  
  
  School year 2021/2022:
• The strictness of COVID-19 protection measures varies depending on the required safety level. The safety level is determined by the recommendations of the Austrian COVID-19 Commission.
• Irrespective of the applicable safety level, non-vaccinated teachers and administrative staff must be able at all times to show valid proof of testing, with at least one PCR test result per week.
• All external individuals entering a school building have to present valid proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery and must wear nose-mouth protection for the whole time they are inside the building.
• Pupils from the age of 12 can get vaccinated in the vaccination buses at the school sites.
• It is in the discretion of the school principals to specify additional precautionary measures for their schools.

• An FFP2 mask must be worn on public transport and in enclosed spaces of the associated stations and waiting areas.
• An FFP2 mask must be worn for the entire journey.
• This also applies to taxis and taxi-like operations.
• An FFP2 mask must be worn in the entrance area and during transport in enclosed or coverable cable cars and rack and pinion railways (e.g. gondolas, cabins, coverable chairlifts).
• Proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery must additionally be presented for the use of tour buses and excursion boats.

Please note the special regulations for Vienna in the section “Regional measures in Vienna”
 

• There are no restrictions on the opening hours of retail business premises.
• When entering customer areas of the following business premises, customers must wear an FFP2 mask:
  • Public pharmacies
  • Food retail businesses (including sales outlets of food producers and filling stations with adjacent food sales outlets)
  • Banks
  • Post offices and postal service providers
• When entering customer areas of all other business premises, customers who cannot provide proof of vaccination or recovery must wear an FFP2 mask. Customers must have their certificate on them at all times for the duration of their stay.
• Vaccinated and/or recovered customers must wear mouth and nose protection.
• The conditions for professional groups with customer contact apply to the operators of these business premises and their employees who come into direct contact with customers.  An FFP2 mask must be worn when in direct contact with customers.
• The access of business premises 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.
• Services provided in close physical proximity, including in the form of home visits, are permitted.

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

Rules for employees:

• Employees 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).
• The employees must wear nose-mouth protection in enclosed spaces.
• If the proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery is no longer valid, a CPA mask or an FFP2 mask without inhalation valve must be worn at all times when in contact with residents in enclosed spaces.

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.
• 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.

Rules for visitors and escorts:

• Visitors must present 3G proof, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.

• In addition, visitors and escorts must wear an FFP2 mask at all times in enclosed spaces (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:

• Employees 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 the proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery is no longer valid, a CPA mask or an FFP2 mask without inhalation valve must be worn at all times when in contact with residents in enclosed spaces.
• Otherwise, the employees must wear nose-mouth protection.

Rules for patients:

• In other places in which health services are provided, patients must wear an FFP2 mask at all times (if no other suitable protective device is available for spatial separation).

Rules for visitors and escorts:

• Visitors must present 3G proof, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.
• In addition, visitors and escorts must wear an FFP2 mask at all times (if no other suitable protective device is available for spatial separation). This also applies to the accessing of other places in which health services are provided.

• An FFP2 mask must be worn in enclosed spaces when attending administrative authorities and administrative courts in person.

• Business premises in the food and beverage services sector may open, there is no regulation governing closing times. Delivery services may continue 24 hours a day.
• 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, or to the collection of food and beverages. Customers must wear an FFP2 mask in enclosed spaces.
• Operators of food and beverage outlets, both in enclosed spaces and outdoors, must collect contact details (first and last names, phone number and, if available, email address) from customers.
• The night-life sector, e.g. dance venues, clubs and discotheques, may reopen. In order to enter such establishments, customers must present a negative result of a PCR test, which was taken not more than 72 hours previously, or proof of vaccination, and retain this for the duration of the visit. 
• Self-service is permitted if the risk of infection can be minimised through special hygiene precautions.
• When accessing the following food and beverage outlets, the people listed are not required to present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery:
  • Patients in hospitals and health spas,
  • Residents in senior, care and disabled facilities,
  • Children and young people in facilities for their support/accommodation (including schools and kindergartens),
  • Employees in companies
  • People travelling by means of mass transport (train)

The regulations governing gatherings apply in closed associations.

• • The operators of accommodation providers (including camping or caravan sites, shelter chalets and cabin vessels) may only admit guests for the first time if these present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.
  • The regulations for food and beverage services apply in the food and beverage area of accommodation establishments.
  • The rules for sport and leisure facilities apply in the sport and leisure facilities of accommodation providers.
  • For operators of accommodation providers and their employees who have direct contact with customers, the regulations for professional group testing apply.

• An FFP2 mask must be worn in enclosed spaces of facilities used for the practice of religion.

• Gatherings of more than 25 participants are permitted only under the following conditions:
  • Participants may only be admitted if they present 3G proof, which must be kept available for the duration of the stay.
• Gatherings of more than 100 people are permitted only 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.
• Gatherings of more than 500 people are permitted only under the following conditions:
  • The person in charge must obtain a permit from the locally responsible district administrative authority.
  • 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.

• At gatherings of more than 100 people, a COVID-19 officer is to be designated, and a COVID-19 prevention plan developed and implemented. The COVID-19 prevention plan must be kept available for the duration of the gathering and presented to the district administrative authority on demand.
• For gatherings of more than 100 people, both in enclosed spaces and outdoors, the person in charge must collect the contact details (first and last names, phone number and, if available, email address) of the participants.
• Several gatherings may take place in the same place at the same time, if suitable measures (e.g. spatial or structural separation) are put in place to prevent the participants from mixing.
• These regulations also apply to specialist and public fairs, casual markets and gatherings organised for extracurricular youth education and youth work or gatherings at supervised holiday camps.

• The regulations shown above do not apply to the following:
  • 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. If more than 100 people are in attendance, everyone must provide 3G proof. If this cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask must be worn in enclosed spaces.
  • Funerals. If more than 100 people are in attendance, everyone must provide 3G proof. If this cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask must be worn in enclosed spaces.
  • Gatherings under the Austrian Assembly Act (demonstrations). If more than 100 people are in attendance, everyone must provide 3G proof. If this cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask must be worn in enclosed spaces.
  • Meetings of the bodies of legal persons and political parties. If more than 100 people are in attendance, everyone must provide 3G proof. If this cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask must be worn in enclosed spaces.
  • The access of theatre, concert halls and arenas, cinemas, variety shows and cabarets, if this is done by car.

Closed societies

• There are no restrictions on gatherings of closed groups or associations in restaurants, sports venues, accommodation providers, culture and leisure facilities (e.g. theatre performance for a school class, cinema screening explicitly for a child’s birthday, wedding party in a dining establishment hired for that purpose).
• The same also applies to gatherings of fewer than 100 participants, if the mixing of participants with other people present there can be prevented by means of spatial or structural separation (e.g. by hiring a separate room).

.

Protective measures at cultural facilities 

Please note the special regulations for Vienna in the section “Regional measures in Vienna”
 

• In order to enter cultural facilities that are primarily used for the holding of events, such as, in particular, theatres, cinemas, variety clubs, cabarets, concert halls and arenas, visitors must present proof of a negative test, vaccination or recovery and retain this for the duration of the visit.
• The following applies to museums, cultural exhibition halls, art halls, libraries, bookshops and archives:
  • Customers who do not have valid proof of vaccination or recovery must wear an FFP2 mask in enclosed spaces.

• 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 must appoint a COVID-19 officer, and develop and implement a COVID-19 prevention plan.
• The operators of leisure facilities, including swimming pools, dance schools, indoor playgrounds, animal parks, botanical gardens and zoos, 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 stipulations listed under this point provisionally apply up to and including 13 October 2021.

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 has primarily been 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.

Since May 2021, Austria has been in phase 3 of the vaccination programme. 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. 

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.

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 sufficient stocks of vaccine, some federal provinces have already starting offering vaccinations to everyone over 12 years of age who are interested in being vaccinated. This procedure will be extended to the other federal provinces as soon as sufficient vaccine becomes available.

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 21 days apart, with a possible interval of 19 to 42 days.

According to the technical information, the “Spikevax” vaccine manufactured by the company Moderna is administered as two partial vaccinations 28 days apart, with a possible interval of 21 to 42 days.

The vaccine “Vaxzevria” manufactured by the company AstraZeneca is administered as two partial vaccinations; given the present situation concerning the Delta variant, the National Vaccination Committee recommends an interval of four to eight weeks between vaccinations.

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. However, the available data suggests protection of at least 9 months (counting from the second dose or, in the case of the Janssen vaccine, counting from the first dose / only dose). It is therefore also not known when/whether boosters will be needed. Appropriate recommendations will be made on the basis of the findings of further studies.

According to current scientific findings, the coronavirus vaccination offers so-called 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 time interval may vary on a case-by-case basis. It is therefore 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.

The respective applicable protective measures such as, for example, the mandatory wearing of nose-mouth protection, social distancing and hygiene regulations, must be complied with until sufficient numbers of people have received a coronavirus vaccination.

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.

Nothing conspicuous has so far been reported at all in the data on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women.

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. For the benefit-risk evaluation, please refer to the current version of the recommendations made by the Austrian Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics: https://www.oeggg.at/leitlinien-stellungnahmen/covid-19-sars-cov-2/

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 conducted to investigate the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in children. BioNTech/Pfizer has now applied in April 2021 for approval of the Comirnaty vaccine for over-12 year olds, and this application is currently under review by the European Medicines Agency.

According to the current state of knowledge, the approved COVID-19 vaccines offer individual protection. Having a high vaccination rate in the population sharply reduces levels of illness, avoids severe cases and deaths and takes the strain off the health system. After vaccination, the probability of a vaccinated person infecting friends or family members is much lower. This protects (as yet) unvaccinated people, as well as people who do not produce an immune response after being vaccinated, from falling ill with COVID-19.

Children and young people may very rarely fall ill with severe COVID-19, but severe illnesses such as multi-system inflammation syndrome, which often requires treatment in the intensive care unit, have also been described in Austria with a frequency of 1:500 to 1:1000 infected children and young people. There are also increasing indications that children and youths can also suffer lasting consequences of COVID-19 (long COVID) after mild or asymptomatic disease. Being vaccinated protects against illness and possible severe consequences of illness. It should also be noted that children may not only fall ill themselves, but also contribute to the general occurrence of infection.

The vaccines Vaxzevria from AstraZeneca, Spikevax from Moderna and COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen are currently not licensed for use in people under 18 years of age.

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

Vaccination against COVID-19 within the next 6 to 8 months is not necessary if an infection with SARS-CoV-2 has already occurred and the infection was also confirmed by a molecular biological test (e.g. PCR test). In the case of a positive neutralisation test (no correlates), the vaccination should be postponed for 3 months. After that, in both cases, administering one dose of vaccine is recommended. If a molecularly confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2 occurs in the interval between the 1st dose and the 2nd dose, the 2nd dose should be delayed for 6 to 8 months according to current knowledge.

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 they usually subside on their own within a few days. Pain, redness and swelling may very frequently occur at the injection site. Symptoms such as tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, swelling of the lymph nodes, nausea/vomiting, shivering or fever are also experienced very frequently. Very frequent means that more than one in ten vaccinated persons are affected. The doctor responsible for you or you yourself can report any suspected adverse reactions via https://nebenwirkung.basg.gv.at/   Further information on reporting suspected adverse reactions is available at http://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 falling ill. Should an individual exceptionally be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and fall ill with COVID-19 despite having been vaccinated, the disease will generally be much milder while complications and death will largely be 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 nose-mouth protection, social distancing and hygiene regulations, must therefore be complied with until sufficient numbers of people have received a coronavirus vaccination and corresponding findings 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.