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:
- Going to work.
- Basic needs.
- Helping others.
- Physical activity.
- 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.
- Exceptions are the Christmas holidays and New Years’ (Dec. 24, 25, 26, and 31), where more people can meet.
- 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.