• When accessing public places outdoors, a 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 distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and nose-mouth protection must be worn.

• Leaving one’s own private living space or staying away from one’s own private living space (i.e. in other private living spaces) is permitted for the following reasons only:
  • For the avoidance of an immediate danger to life, health and property
  • For the support and assistance of people in need, exercising family rights, fulfilment of family obligations (e.g. right to visit under-age children)
  • For covering the necessary basic needs of everyday life (buying basic necessities of life, visiting a second home, contact with life partners not living in the same household, the closest relatives (parents, children and siblings) and reference persons not living in the same household with whom one is in physical and non-physical contact several times a week, satisfying basic religious requirements such as visits to cemeteries or places of worship, doctor’s appointments or having a COVID-19 test, caring for animals). Not included are family celebrations or assemblies of multiple, individual people not living in the same household.
  • For professional purposes (including volunteering activities) and training (where required), participation in legal/official proceedings or official acts, as well as in elections and referendums
  • Participation in gatherings under the Austrian Assembly Act (demonstrations)
  • For recreation outdoors aimed at maintaining physical and mental health. This is only permitted with people from the same household, with life partners, close relatives (parents, children and siblings) as well as the related persons mentioned above who do not live in the same household
• Private living areas also include residential units in accommodation establishments and in senior, nursing and disabled facilities.
• It is not permitted for multiple people from one household to meet up with multiple people from another household (only with individual people).
• The restrictions on going out apply until 24 January 2021.

• Where possible, people should work from home (possible only if agreed between the employer and employee).
• A minimum distance of 1 metre must be maintained in the workplace and nose-mouth protection (a face mask) must be worn indoors,
  • unless there is no physical contact to other people (working alone in an office), or if the risk of infection can be minimised through suitable protective measures (e.g. partition walls).
• Stricter rules can be agreed between employer and employee.
• If the minimum distance cannot be maintained due to the specific nature of the occupational activity, other suitable protective measures must be taken to minimise the risk of infection (e.g. through the installation of partitions or Plexiglas walls, formation of fixed teams).
• The access of places of work in which services are provided in close physical proximity is not permitted. 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 also not permitted.

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.

• A minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept and nose-mouth protection must be worn on public transport and in the related stations and waiting areas.This rule may exceptionally be deviated from if the number of passengers makes it impossible to maintain a distance of at least 1 metre, including when boarding and alighting.
• Nose-mouth protection must be worn for the entire journey. These regulations are also applicable to the use of cableways and rack railways. Since 24 December 2020, it has been possible to use also cableways and rack railways for recreational sports. An FFP2 mask (for people aged 14 years and over) or a mask of an equivalent or higher standard must be worn during transport and in the entrance area.
• Enclosed or coverable means of travel (e.g. gondolas, cabins, coverable chairlifts) many only run at 50% capacity. For example, only 10 people may be transported in a gondola designed for 20 people. This does not apply to persons living in the same household. An FFP2 mask or a mask of an equivalent or higher standard must be worn during transport and in the entrance area.
• 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 nose-mouth protection. This also applies to taxis and taxi-like operations.

• Teaching at schools and universities will take place online until 22 January 2021.
• Kindergartens and other elementary educational institutions remain open in compliance with increased hygiene and prevention measures for all children in need of supervision.

• The access of retail premises is not permitted. This does not apply to the accessing of establishments for the collection of pre-ordered goods between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• The access of companies offering services in close physical proximity (hairdressers, beauticians, nail bars, piercing and tattoo studios, massage studios) as well as leisure facilities is prohibited. Services provided in close physical proximity, including in the form of home visits, are not allowed.
• A distance of at least 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household when entering customer areas and nose-mouth protection must be worn. This also applies to open-air markets.
• The access of connecting structures (e.g. shopping centres), 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 establishments. In particular, the consumption of food and drink is not permitted.
• The following will remain open from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm: food shops, chemists, banks, post offices, motor vehicle and bicycle workshops and rental outlets, tobacconists, tailors and cleaners. These rules also apply to outdoor markets and attending administrative authorities and courts in person. Longer opening hours apply to pharmacies, (e-)filling stations and car washes.
• A distance of at least 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household when entering customer areas and nose-mouth protection must be worn. This also applies to open-air markets.
• The operators of these businesses and their employees must wear nose-mouth protection when in contact with customers, unless another suitable form of protection for spatial separation is available which guarantees the same level of safety between the individuals concerned.
• 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).
• If the nature of the service means that the minimum distance of 1 metre between customer and service provider cannot be kept, the infection risk must be minimised by taking appropriate safety measures.

• Visitors to health spas and hospitals and places where health care services are provided must present a negative result of an antigen test (not older than 24 hours) or a PCR test (not older than 48 hours). If no negative test result can be presented, a CPA respiratory mask, an FFP-2 mask or a mask of equivalent or higher standard must be worn at all times during the visit.
• Otherwise, nose-mouth protection must be worn and a physical distance of 1 metre must be maintained during visits in enclosed spaces in hospitals and health spas.
• Visitors to senior and care homes must present a negative result of an antigen test (not older than 24 hours) or a PCR test (not older than 48 hours). In addition, visitors must keep a distance of 1 metre from people who do not live in the same household (to the extent this is compatible with professional activities) and must wear FFP-2 masks in enclosed spaces during the entire visit. The same applies to residents whenever they are in generally accessible areas that are not part of their living space. The obligation does not apply to residents who cannot be expected to do so, especially due to dementia.
• As from 18 December, employees of senior and care homes have to wear FFP-2 masks at all times when in contact with the residents.
• Residents of senior residences and care homes must also present a negative test result before re-admission (same rule as for visitors). The operators of senior residences and care homes must offer COVID-19 tests for their residents on a weekly basis. When residents are re-admitted after an absence of 24 hours minimum, they must take an antigen test or PCR test within seven days. In addition, two tests must be carried out per week.
• Employees of hospitals and of senior and care homes are tested weekly for COVID-19 and must wear an FFP2 mask at all times when in contact with residents. Employees of health spas and hospitals are tested weekly for COVID-19.
• Only one visitor will be admitted per week for each resident of a senior and care home. This does not apply to visits involving palliative and hospice care, as well as pastoral care. In addition to this, each resident may be visited by a maximum of two people from the same household on 24 and 25 December 2020. 
• Only one visitor will be admitted per week for each patient who is admitted to a hospital or health spa for longer than one week. 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 counselling. Visitors to palliative cares homes and hospices, as well as persons who provide pastoral care, support and assistance, must wear an FFP2 marks at all times when in contact with residents.
• Employees who had a confirmed COVID-19 infection in the last three months before the test, are exempted from the test obligation; i.e. they were quarantined by order of a public authority because of a COVID-19 infection or they can present a positive test result.

• Nose-mouth protection must be worn when attending administrative authorities and administrative courts in person.

• The business premises of restaurants, with the exception of delivery services, must remain closed. Delivery services may continue 24 hours a day.
• Food and drink may be collected between 6.00 am and 7.00 pm on the basis that it is not consumed on site (or within a radius of 50 m of the business premises). At the time of collection, a distance of at least 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and nose-mouth protection must be worn.
• The sale of open alcoholic beverages for pick-up, e.g. from punch stalls, is prohibited.
• The following dining establishments may be open between 6.00 am and 7.00 pm: dining establishments in
  • hospitals and health spas,
  • senior, care and disabled facilities,
  • facilities for supporting/accommodating children and young people (including schools and kindergartens),
  • businesses,
  • accommodation establishments, if food and drink are served exclusively to paying guests,
  • public transport, if food and drink are served exclusively to passengers.
• With regard to the exceptions shown, the following rules apply:
• A minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept from other people (who do not belong to the group of visitors) and nose-mouth protection must be worn when entering the restaurant until the table is reached and when leaving the table.
• 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.
• Self-service is only permitted if the risk of infection can be minimised through special hygiene precautions.
• The operators of these businesses and their employees must wear nose-mouth protection when in contact with customers, unless another suitable form of protection for spatial separation is available which guarantees the same level of safety between the individuals concerned.
• 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.
• Accommodation establishments must remain closed. The following exceptions apply to this rule:
  • Persons who are being accommodated for a previously agreed period
  • Accommodation for the purpose of supporting and assisting people in need
  • Accommodation for professional purposes and training at legally recognised establishments that cannot be postponed
  • Accommodation for fulfilling an urgent housing requirement
  • Accommodation of patients at health resorts and patients in rehabilitation
  • Boarding schools, apprentice hostels, student residences
• The accommodation establishments for which an exemption exits may be entered under the following conditions:
  • A distance of at least 1 metre must be kept in generally accessibly areas between people who do not live in the same household or do not belong to the group of guests in the shared residential unit.
  • When entering generally accessible areas in enclosed spaces of retail business, nose-mouth protection must be worn.
  • The operators of these businesses and their employees must wear nose-mouth protection when in contact with customers, unless another suitable form of protection for spatial separation is available which guarantees the same level of safety between the individuals concerned.
  • The regulations for dining apply in the dining area of accommodation establishments.
  • Keep a minimum distance of 1.5 metres in shared bedrooms or use appropriate protective measures for spatial separation.

• Admission to enclosed spaces in places of worship is permitted under the following conditions:
  • A distance of at least 1 metre must be kept between people who do not, at least temporarily, live in the same household and nose-mouth protection must be worn
• During services of worship outdoors, a minimum distance of 1 metre must be kept from people who do not live in the same household.
• The requirement to keep to the minimum distance does not apply if the performance of religious acts is required.

• The holding of events is prohibited (e.g. cultural events, sport events, weddings, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, film viewings, conferences, specialised and general public trade shows and occasion-related quasi markets ). Civil wedding ceremonies can take place.
• Exemptions apply, among others, to the following:
  • Business meetings that cannot be postponed, if required to maintain the professional activity
  • Events for the practise of religion
  • Funerals with up to 50 people
  • Assemblies for professional training and development purposes or for the fulfilment of integration measures in accordance with the Integration Act, as well as for final professional examinations
  • Gatherings under the Austrian Assembly Act (demonstrations)
  • High-level sports events
• A distance of 1 metre must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and nose-mouth protection must be worn. There is no obligation to wear face masks when a maximum of six persons from two households meet outdoors, plus not more than six minor children or minors for whom adults have a duty of supervision.
• If the nature of the training or development or of the integration measures means that the minimum distance of 1 metre and/or the wearing of nose-mouth protection cannot be ensured, the infection risk must be minimised by taking appropriate safety measures.

• Admission to sports venues is prohibited. Access by elite athletes is exempted from this.
• Admission to outdoor sports venues is permitted for sports that typically do not include physical contact. Access to closed rooms of the sports venue is only allowed to the extent this is required to perform sports outdoors. The length of stay at outdoor sports venues is limited to the duration of the sporting activity.
• The operators of outdoor sports venues shall ensure that each athlete has a space of 10 sqm available (if the area of the sports venue is less than 10 sqm, only one person at a time may enter it).
• Admission to leisure facilities, excluding in private homes, is prohibited. This includes swimming pools, dance schools, theatres, cinemas, museums, libraries, bookshops, animal parks and zoos.
• The operators and their employees must wear face masks when they are in contact with customers, unless another suitable form of protection for spatial separation is available which guarantees the same level of safety.
• 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).

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:

• 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.

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.

• A new and easier option for short-term working
• Available for up to six months for the time being

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.