The Federal Government is taking protective measures aimed at containing coronavirus (COVID-19). These provisionally apply until 05 May 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:

• www.sozialministerium.at
• www.bmeia.gv.at
• www.bmi.gv.at
• www.bmbwf.gv.at

Last updated: 26/04/2021

• When accessing public places outdoors, a distance of at least 2 metres must be kept between people who do not live in the same household.
• When accessing public places in enclosed spaces, a distance of at least 2 metres must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask of at least an equivalent standard 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 between 8.00 pm and 6.00 am of the following day 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)
  • Accessing retail premises, senior and care homes
• Restrictions on going out at night will apply provisionally until 15 May 2021.
• During the daytime, between 6.00 am and 8.00 pm, a maximum of 4 people from two households with a total of not more than six children requiring supervision are permitted to meet. This also applies to private, non-residential areas, such as garages, gardens or barns. Duties involving the supervision of under-age children are exempt from this regulation.

• Where possible, people should work from home (possible only if agreed between the employer and employee).
• A minimum distance of 2 metres must be maintained in the workplace and nose-mouth protection must be worn in enclosed spaces.
  • 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.
• Certain professional groups must present proof of a negative antigen test or a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 not later than every 7 days and be able to present that proof throughout the 7-day period. These include:
  • Personnel with direct customer contact (e.g.: retail, services in close physical proximity, transport)
  • Teachers who have contact with pupils and children
  • Public service personnel (in-person services)
  • Personnel working in warehouse logistics who are regularly unable to keep to the minimum distance of 2 metres.
  • Elite athletes in the exercise of team sports
  • Personnel who provide in-person services in administrative authorities and administrative courts.
  • If a test result cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask with an equivalent or higher level of protection must be worn at all times when in contact with customers, providing a public service or when in contact with pupils and children. Workers in elementary educational institutions (kindergartens, childcare facilities) who have direct contact with children must also present proof of a negative antigen test or a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 not later than every 7 days and be able to present proof of that negative test result throughout the 7-day period. If a negative test result can be presented, they will be exempt from the requirement to wear nose-mouth protection. If a test result can not be presented, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask with an equivalent or higher level of protection must be worn at all times when in contact with children.
• Effective 1 April 2021, all operators of businesses with more than 51 members of staff must develop and implement a COVID-19 prevention scheme to minimise the risk of infection.
• The access of places of work outside of business premises to provide services in close physical proximity, e.g. in the form of home visits, is permitted only if an antigen test or PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 has been taken within the previous 48 hours or 72 hours respectively and the result is negative.

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 2 metres must be kept and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve 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 2 metres, including when boarding and alighting.

• An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn for the entire journey. These regulations are also applicable to the use of cableways and rack railways. Since 24 December 2020, it has been possible to use also cableways and rack railways for recreational sports. An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve (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.
• The shared use of motor vehicles by persons who do not live in the same household is permitted if no more than two people (incl. driver) sit on each bench of seats and everyone wears an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve. This also applies to taxis and taxi-like operations.

• Children registered in primary and special schools must attend classes in person. Pupils must wear nose-mouth protection from the moment they enter the school building until they reach their desks in the classroom. Pupils do not have to wear nose-mouth protection in the classroom.
• In middle schools and lower level classes, schoolchildren will be taught in shifts (2 days per week each in person, Friday online). The schoolchildren will be divided into groups and will not be permitted to change group. If it is not possible for pupils to be looked after at home, they can be supervised and be given educational support at school if they are able to present a negative coronavirus test. Schoolchildren must wear nose-mouth protection from the moment they enter the school building and also in the classroom.
• In upper level classes, teaching can be given daily in person. Schoolchildren must wear an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve in the school building and in the classroom.
• Schoolchildren may attend classes in person if they take a rapid coronavirus test at the school and are able to present a negative result.
• Kindergartens and other elementary educational institutions remain open in compliance with increased hygiene and prevention measures for all children in need of supervision. The requirement to attend kindergarten in the final year of kindergarten is repealed.
• Teaching will continue to take place online at universities.

• The access of retail premises is permitted between 6.00 and 7.00 pm. Longer opening hours apply to pharmacies, (e-)filling stations and car washes.
• Services provided in close physical proximity, including in the form of home visits, are permitted.
• When entering customer areas, a distance of at least 2 metres must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask with an equivalent or higher level of protection must be worn. This also applies to open-air markets.
• The operators of these businesses and their employees must wear an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve 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 20 m² (if the customer area is smaller than 20 m², only one person may enter at a time). The same also applies to physically connected business premises (e.g. shopping centres and market halls). This does not apply to gatherings for training and development purposes or to professional meetings in the customer area of business premises.
• 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 access of companies offering services in close physical proximity (hairdressers, wig makers, beauticians, nail bars, piercing and tattoo studios, massage studios, pedicurists) as well as leisure facilities is permitted only if an antigen test or PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 has been taken within the previous 48 hours or 72 hours respectively and the result is negative. The customer must be able to present this proof for the duration of the stay. Everyone must however, e.g. at the hairdresser’s, wear an FFP2 mask.
• Proof can be in the form of a negative test result that can be clearly associated with the person, such as a medical certificate, laboratory findings, official test result from a test centre, or a test confirmation from a pharmacy, as well as proof of the presence of neutralising antibodies for a period of three months, medical confirmation of a previous and recently cleared infection, or an official notice of exemption if this was issued to a person with COVID-19 within a period of six months before the intended test. Self-tests, such as those performed at home, cannot be used a proof. Children will need their own test result from 10 years of age.
• The operators of business premises that provide services in close physical proximity 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 at a time). This does not apply to gatherings for training and development purposes or to professional meetings in the customer area of business premises.
• If the nature of the service means that the minimum distance of 2 metres between customer and service provider cannot be kept and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask with an equivalent or higher level of protection cannot be worn at all times, the service may only be provided if the infection risk can be minimised by taking other appropriate safety measures. If the 2-metre distance cannot be kept, the service may only be used if food and drinks are not consumed while it is being provided.
• Services for training and development purposes may only be provided to a person or persons from the same household, e.g. private tuition.

• Employees, visitors and their escorts to health spas and hospitals as well as places that provide health services must keep a minimum distance of 2 metres and wear an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask of an equivalent or higher standard at all times during the visit.
• Only one visitor will be admitted per day 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 pastoral care. Visitors to palliative cares homes and hospices, as well as persons who provide pastoral care, support and assistance, must wear an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve at all times when in contact with residents.
• Visitors and escorts to senior and care homes, hospitals and health spas must present a negative result of an antigen test (not older than 48 hours) or a PCR test (not older than 72 hours). In addition, visitors and escorts must keep a distance of 2 metres from people who do not live in the same household and wear an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve at all times. Residents and escorts must keep a minimum distance of 2 metres and wear nose-mouth protection in generally accessible areas that do not belong to the living space. Exempt from this are residents who cannot be expected to comply, in particular those with dementia.
• Residents of senior and care homes must also present a negative test result before re-admission (as for visitors). The operators of senior and care homes must offer their residents weekly COVID-19 tests. An antigen test or a PCR test must be performed at least every 3 days on residents returning to the home after an absence of at least 24 hours within a 7-day period.
• Employees of senior and care homes are tested every three days for COVID-19 and must wear an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve at all times when in contact with residents. Proof of this must be retained for three days.
• Employees of health spas and hospitals are tested weekly for COVID-19 and must wear a CPA mask or an FFP2 mask or a mask of at least an equivalent standard when in contact with patients.
• Employees of homes for the disabled who have direct contact with customers must present proof of a negative antigen test or a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 not later than every 7 days and be able to present that proof throughout the 7-day period. If a test result cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask with an equivalent or higher level of protection must be worn at all times when in contact with residents of the home.
• Four visits of two people each 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.

• An FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn and a distance of 2 metres kept from people who do not live in the same household when attending administrative authorities and administrative courts in person.

Special rules apply in Vorarlberg – Please note the regional measures at https://corona-ampel.gv.at/aktuelle-massnahmen/regionale-zusaetzliche-massnahmen/vorarlberg/
 

• 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 metres of the business premises). At the time of collection, a distance of at least 2 metres must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn.
• 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 2 metres must be kept from other people (who do not belong to the group of visitors) and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn when entering the restaurant until the table is reached and when leaving the table.
  • 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 business premises and their employees who have direct contact with customers must present proof of a negative antigen test or a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 not later than every 7 days and be able to present that proof throughout the 7-day period. If a test result cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask with an equivalent or higher level of protection must be worn at all times when in direct contact with customers.
  • The operators must ensure that a minimum distance of 2 metres 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. This also includes supervised camping and caravan sites as well as shelter chalets. 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 2 metres 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 accessing generally accessible areas in enclosed spaces, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask of at least an equivalent standard must be worn.
  • Operators of these business premises and their employees who have direct contact with customers must present proof of a negative antigen test or a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 not later than every 7 days and be able to present that proof throughout the 7-day period.
  • If a test result cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask with an equivalent or higher level of protection must be worn at all times when in contact with customers.
  • The regulations for dining apply in the dining area of accommodation establishments.
  • Keep a minimum distance of 2 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 2 metres must be kept between people who do not, at least temporarily, live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn.
• During services of worship outdoors, a minimum distance of 2 metres must be kept between 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.

Special rules apply in Vorarlberg – Please note the regional measures at https://corona-ampel.gv.at/aktuelle-massnahmen/regionale-zusaetzliche-massnahmen/vorarlberg/

• 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
  • Gatherings for professional training and development purposes or for the fulfilment of integration measures in accordance with the Integration Act, for driver and advanced driver training, as well as final professional examinations.
  • Gatherings of not more than 4 people from 2 different households, plus their under-age children or under-age children subject to supervision, subject to a maximum of four under-age children
  • Gatherings of not more than ten persons under the age of 18, plus two adult supervisors, are permitted outdoors for the purposes of exercising or doing sports together, but the activities must be without physical contact. The minimum distance of two metres between persons who do not live in the same household may be exceeded for a short period of time.
  • Gatherings in private living spaces, excluding places that are not used for residential purposes, such as garages, gardens, sheds and barns
  • Gatherings under the Austrian Assembly Act (demonstrations)
  • High-level sports events
  • Gatherings of medical and psychosocial self-help groups
• With regard to the exceptions shown, the following rules apply:
• A minimum distance of 2 metres must be kept between people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask must be worn.
• A minimum distance of 2 metres must be kept during gatherings between not more than 4 people from 2 different households and people who do not live in the same household. Wearing an FFP2 mask outdoors is not mandatory. 
• If the nature of the training or development or of the integration measure means that the minimum distance of 2 metres and/or the wearing of an FFP2 mask cannot be ensured, the infection risk must be minimised by taking appropriate safety measures.
• Admission to cultural venues is prohibited. This includes theatres, concert halls and cinemas. Exempt from this are museums, libraries and bookshops. Admission to these cultural institutions is permitted under the following conditions:
  • During a visit, a minimum distance of 2 metres must be kept from people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn.
  • The operators must ensure that the maximum number of visitors present in the cultural institution or library at the same time does not exceed the ratio of one customer per 20 m² (if the visitor area is smaller than 20 m², only one person may enter at a time).
  • The collection of books from libraries is permitted.

Special rules apply in Vorarlberg – Please note the regional measures at https://corona-ampel.gv.at/aktuelle-massnahmen/regionale-zusaetzliche-massnahmen/vorarlberg/

• 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.
• Gatherings of not more than ten persons under the age of 18, plus two adult supervisors, are permitted outdoors for the purposes of exercising or doing sports together, but the activities must be without physical contact. Football or handball sports are, for example, not permitted in a competitive format.
• In the case of outdoor sporting gatherings in the context of a club or at non-public sporting venues, the operator or the club must draw up and implement a COVID-19 prevention concept. The supervisors are allowed to participate if they present to the organiser proof of a negative antigen test or a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 every seven days. If a test result cannot be presented, an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve or a mask with an equivalent or higher level of protection must be worn at all times when in contact with persons under the age of 18.
• 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 and indoor playgrounds.
• Exempt from this are animal parks, botanical gardens and zoos. Admission to these leisure facilities is permitted under the following conditions:
  • During a visit, a minimum distance of 2 metres must be kept from people who do not live in the same household and an FFP2 mask without exhalation valve must be worn.
  • The operators must ensure that the maximum number of visitors present in the leisure facility at the same time does not exceed the ratio of one visitor per 20 m² (if the visitor area is smaller than 20 m², only one person may enter at a time).
• Extracurricular children's and youth work is permitted with a maximum of ten persons under the age of 18 plus two adult supervisors.
• The participation in such activities in enclosed spaces is permitted if the participants and supervisors present proof of a negative antigen test or a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 that is a maximum of 48 hours or 72 hours old respectively. Otherwise supervisors must wear FFP2 masks without exhalation valves or masks with an equivalent or higher level of protection when in contact with persons under the age of 18. The mandatory presentation of a negative test result does not apply to children up to the age of 10.
• Several events taking place at the same time are permissible, as long as the maximum number of persons per event is not exceeded and organisational measures to minimise the risk of infection are taken.

Yes. The federal government and other government representatives have constantly made it clear that there will be no general requirement to be vaccinated. The government is opting for a voluntary and informative approach. Everyone who would like to be vaccinated will be able to be vaccinated. As there will not be enough vaccines available initially to vaccinate everyone at the same time, those at highest risk will be vaccinated first. Everyone else can then be vaccinated in stages.

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.

Yes. Being vaccinated against COVID-19 often gives rise to adverse reactions to the vaccine, but these normally go away of their own accord again within a few days. Pain, redness and swelling can very commonly occur at the vaccination site. Other very common adverse reactions include tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, nausea/vomiting, chills or fever. Very common means that more than 1 in 10 vaccinated people are affected.

Suspected adverse reactions should be reported at https://www.basg.gv.at or by calling 0800 555 621.

Healthcare professionals (e.g. physicians, pharmacists) are required by law to report suspected adverse reactions as well as the absence of the desired effect of a drug, referred to as “breakthroughs” in the case of COVID-19.

Heath-related events, such as autoimmune diseases, cancer or even death, occur in every population, including in the absence of vaccinations. It must therefore be assumed that when a large number of people are vaccinated, those vaccinated people will experience such health-related events over time, although they may have nothing to do with a previously administered vaccination. As mainly the very elderly will be vaccinated in the early stages of the vaccination campaign, it is to be expected that naturally occurring as well as non-vaccine-related events will happen following vaccination.

The anticipated figure for the number of deaths amongst people at risk aged 80 years and above is 3.5 per 1,000 over a period of one week. Based on this background incidence, a death rate of one in 290 people in this age group within a week is to be expected, regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated.

Details at: www.basg.gv.at/en/market-surveillance/reporting/adverse-reactions/.

Following a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (by means of a PCR test), vaccination against COVID-19 is not necessary for 6-8 months. The study data for this group of people show a persistently high antibody titre for 6-8 months. Accordingly, following a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (by means of a PCR test), it is recommended to postpone vaccination for 6-8 months and then, according to the current state of knowledge, to administer a single dose (off-label).

With a positive neutralisation test (NO correlates!), vaccination should be postponed for 3 months.

All physicians, regardless of their specialism or training as a physician for general medicine, are authorised to administer coronavirus vaccinations. This therefore also applies to occupational physicians and school doctors. In addition, interns, retired physicians and foreign physicians may administer coronavirus vaccinations in collaboration with physicians authorised to independently exercise the profession. Students of medicine are also permitted to administer the vaccine in a structured setting (e.g. a vaccination centre on behalf of the regional health board) under the instruction and supervision of a physician. Graduate healthcare workers and nurses may also administer coronavirus vaccinations in accordance with the written instructions of a physician. Rescue or emergency paramedics, for whom a legal basis has been specially created, should also be mentioned in this regard. In accordance with this change in the law, this professional group is permitted to administer coronavirus vaccinations on the instruction and under the supervision of a physician once they have completed appropriate training. All individuals authorised to administer vaccinations may also prepare the vaccination under the applicable conditions; such preparation may also be performed by suitable pharmaceutical personnel.

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”.

As there is not enough vaccine available for everyone, people with an increased risk of severe illness will be vaccinated first. Everyone else can then be vaccinated in stages.

According to the technical information, the Comirnaty vaccine manufactured by the company BioNTech/Pfizer is administered as 2 doses approximately 19-42 days apart. According to the technical information, the COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna manufactured by the company Moderna is administered as 2 doses approximately 21-42 days apart. Due to the current epidemiological situation in the pandemic, the National Vaccination Committee recommends extending the interval for the two available mRNA vaccines: the second vaccination should take place in the 6th week after the first vaccination. Vaccination appointments that have already been made must not be postponed.

The vaccine Vaxzevria manufactured by the company AstraZeneca is administered as 2 doses; the National Vaccination Committee recommends an interval of 11-12 weeks. The vaccine COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen manufactured by the company Janssen is administered as a single dose.

It can be assumed that the vaccination results in a lower viral load and that vaccinated individuals are therefore less infectious. Based on preclinical data, it is assumed that COVID-19 vaccinations will also lead to reduced transmission of the virus. Increasing data from the use of COVID-19 vaccines in practice are also showing a reduction in the transmission of the virus in vaccinated people.

According to the technical information, full vaccination protection requires a complete (2-part or in the case of the Janssen vaccine 1-part) vaccination series with the same vaccine. On an individual level, the vaccination means that the risk of becoming seriously ill with or 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 complication and death will be avoided.

Protective measures such as mask wearing must be continued until sufficient numbers of people have been vaccinated.

The protection offered following vaccination is currently not known for any of the licensed vaccines. Accordingly, it is not known when/whether booster vaccinations will be required either. Appropriate recommendations will be available in good time from the further findings of the Phase III studies.

A certain level of protection can be expected from the 22nd day after the 1st dose for all available vaccines. The 2nd dose 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 fall ill with COVID-19 despite having been vaccinated, the disease will be much milder while complications and death will be largely avoided.

As mRNA vaccines are classified as inactivated vaccines, the basic rules for the use of inactivated vaccines must be applied to the respective groups of people and medications.

As far as the taking of medications is concerned, this means that people who are able to receive other vaccinations, such as those against influenza or the tick vaccination, are also able to receive mRNA vaccines. The focus here is not on the question of possible adverse vaccination reactions, but rather whether the vaccination works properly, i.e. provides protection. However, this is ultimately a decision for the individual in question and must be discussed with the vaccinating physician.

With regard to vaccinations, an interval of 14 days is recommended for inactivate vaccines (e.g. vaccination against influenza or ticks), and an interval of 28 days for live vaccinations (e.g. vaccination against measles-mumps-rubella).

An antibody test is not required before a vaccination is administered and is of no consequence in this regard. Large-scale licensing studies included both people with existing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and participants without antibodies. Based on findings to date, it is assumed that the existence or non-existence of antibodies makes no difference with regard to the vaccination’s safety. An increased rate of vaccination reactions is not expected in people who have been confirmed as having antibodies.

Yes. However, an antibody test is not required before a vaccination is administered and is of no consequence in this regard.

People who have been ill with an acute infection should hold off having the vaccination until they have fully recovered.

Studies have shown that people have high antibody values for 6-8 months after a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and also that these people only need one vaccination to attain comparable protection to non-infected, normally vaccinated people in accordance with a regular vaccination schedule. It is therefore recommended, either during or after a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (by means of a PCR test), to postpone the COVID-19 vaccination for 6-8 months and to then administer just 1 dose (off-label) in accordance with the current state of knowledge. With a positive neutralisation test (NO correlates!), vaccination should be postponed for 3 months. If there is a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (PCR test) in the period between the 1st and 2nd dose, the 2nd dose should, according to the current state of knowledge, be postponed for 6-8 months.

No vaccination offers 100% protection. However, full vaccination minimises the risk of becoming seriously ill with or dying from COVID-19. People who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are individually protected against the disease and therefore need not worry about falling ill with it. If, in exceptional circumstances, a person falls ill with COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, the disease will be much milder. Complications and death are avoided by the vaccination.

People with known allergies, such as to aeroallergenes like pollen or house dust, can and should be vaccinated regardless of this existing condition. Such allergies should be addressed with the physician beforehand, and the allergy pass containing information on possible allergens must in any event be brought along and taken into consideration. In this way, the technical information (composition) of the corresponding vaccine can be optimally taken into account on a case-by-case basis. When vaccinating allergy sufferers, the observation time after vaccination must be extended to 30 minutes.

People who have ever experienced anaphylaxis (allergic shock) must inform the vaccinating physician about this and discuss the exact procedure.

mRNA vaccines do not modify genetic material and have no impact on fertility. Experimental studies on animals do not indicate any direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity.

If you wish to have children, please discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination with your treating physician.

There is a limited amount of data available on the use of mRNA vaccines (vaccine of Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna) in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonic/foetal development, birth or postnatal development. The administering of mRNA vaccines during pregnancy should be taken into consideration if the potential benefit outweighs the possible risks for mother and foetus.

A routine pregnancy test is not necessary prior to vaccination.

Important note: These measures are purely precautionary. This means that in the case of an unwanted pregnancy, there is NO indication for terminating the pregnancy and the pregnancy cannot be classified as risky.

The currently available vaccines against COVID-19 have been investigated only to a limited extent for their effect on people with autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, data and experience is available for the following diseases:

• HIV (under therapy and with CD4 > 500)
• Stable autoimmune diseases
• Cancer (without ongoing or recent chemotherapy)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Chronic lung diseases

In all of these cases, nothing conspicuous has been noted with regard to effectiveness and compatibility.

There are not yet any data on all other pathogens, which is why a consultation should in any event be carried out by the treating physician.

As mRNA vaccines are to be assessed as inactivated vaccines, the basic rules for the use of inactivated vaccines must be applied to the respective groups of people and medications.

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.

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.