How Austria Plans to Reopen After the Second Lockdown

The federal government has revealed how the country will ease out of the current measures. The new lockdown rules will go into effect on Dec. 7 in Austria and are expected to last until Jan. 6.

General Rules

• The night-time curfew, lasting from 20:00 to 06:00, will be reimposed. Exceptions include:
  1. Going to work.
  2. Basic needs.
  3. Helping others.
  4. Physical activity.
  5. Dec. 24, 25, 26, and 31.

• Starting Dec. 7, people from two different households may meet again.
  • Exceptions are the Christmas holidays and New Years’ (Dec. 24, 25, 26, and 31), where more people can meet.
    • A total of ten people (including children) may meet independently of the number of households.

• New re-entry restrictions will apply between Dec. 19 and Jan. 10 for travelers returning from countries with a 14-day incidence of more than 100 (per 100,000 inhabitants).
  • Individuals must quarantine for ten days upon arrival and can be cleared after five days with a negative PCR test result.
  • Commuters and essential workers are exempt from this order.

• Social distancing rules must be followed in public spaces.

• Masks are still mandatory.

• If possible, home office is encouraged.

What Will Reopen on Dec. 7

• Stores
  • One customer per every ten square meters.
  • Masks are mandatory.

• Personal services (hairdressers, cosmetic studios, etc.)
  • Masks are mandatory.

• Schools

• Museums

• Libraries

What Will Reopen on Dec. 24

• Outdoor sport facilities.

• Skiing will be permitted.
  • Cable cars and ski lifts will run.
  • Closed areas will be limited to 50% capacity.
  • Masks are mandatory in waiting and boarding areas.

What Will Remain Closed

• Gastronomy
  • Pick-up is permitted between 6:00 and 19:00.
  • Delivery is allowed around the clock.
  • No open alcoholic beverages may be sold.

• Cultural institutions, including cinemas

• Gyms and indoor sports facilities

• Hotels

• Christmas markets

Rules for Schools

• Cumpolsory kindergartens, elementary, and middle schoolers (age 6-14) will return to the physical classroom.
  • Masks are mandatory for all children over the age of ten.

• High school students will continue doing distance learning.

• Maturanten (seniors) will also resume in-person instruction.

Events

• All events are prohibited. Exceptions include:
  • Demonstrations.
  • Religious services.
    • Masks are mandatory indoors.
  • Party and political events.
  • Funerals.
    • Capped at 50 people, minimum distance, and masks are mandatory.

Hospitals, Elderly and Nursing Homes

• Each week only one visitor will be allowed per patient. This only applies to patients that have been at the facility for more than seven days. 

• Exempt are:
  • Pregnant women, they can be accompanied by one person during appointments and birth. 
  • Children who are under age, who can be accompanied by two people.
  • Disabled people can also be accompanied by two individuals.

• Visitors and newly accepted patients must provide a negative test result.
  • Exempt are people accompanying pregnant women.

• With the new Austria lockdown measures, Hospital employees will be required to get tested for COVID-19 once a week. 
  • If they test positive, they can still work if they do not show symptoms for 48 hours or their CT value is under 30. 
  • If there is a shortage of tests, caregivers and health workers are required to wear a high-quality mask when they come in contact with patients.