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What you need to know about Austria’s new lockdown measures

The Local Austria
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What you need to know about Austria’s new lockdown measures
Photo: Olivier HOSLET / POOL / AFP

The Austrian government on Monday decided to implement a range of new measures, including making masks compulsory at all indoor and outdoor events, and limiting groups.

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From midnight on Friday, October 23rd, masks will be compulsory at all indoor and outdoor events in Austria, Kurier reported on Monday. 

The new restrictions were put in place at a meeting on Monday morning. 

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz pleaded with the public to comply with the measures, while Health Minister Rudolf Anschober promised “this next phase will now take months”. 

Cultural events will only be permitted to take place with assigned seats. 

MAPS: Where are Austria's emerging coronavirus hotspots? 

At bars and restaurants, the largest number of people who can sit on a table has been reduced from 10 to six. People under 18 do not count towards the tally. 

A maximum of six people are allowed indoors without assigned seating, with the respective number outdoors raised to 12. 

This is at all publicly-accessible gatherings - it includes public parks and fitness studios. 

Private gatherings have a 'voluntary' limit of six people. Kurz told the media on Monday that the requirement in private homes was not legally enforceable at this stage. 

"The legal regulation is very clear. Noise pollution is one reason that the police can take action, but the meeting alone cannot," Kurz said. 

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Food and drink is banned at all events. Buffets are also banned. 

Events will also have a cap on the amount of attendees. 

Indoor events will be capped at 1,000 people - while outdoor events will have a maximum of 1,500 in attendance. 

All events over 250 people require authorisation. 

Aged-care facilities 

Masks must be worn everywhere in all aged-care facilities. 

All new and re-admitted residents must be tested for the virus. 

The Austrian government also said it was up to state governments to put in place stricter requirements if they deemed it necessary.

 

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