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No masks and no dancing: What are the rules for watching the football in public in Austria?

The Local Austria
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No masks and no dancing: What are the rules for watching the football in public in Austria?
An Austrian football fan. Photo: LIONEL BONAVENTURE / AFP

Austria has relaxed most of its coronavirus measures, but there are still some rules in place for ‘public viewings’. Here’s what you need to know.

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The Euro 2020 football tournament has coincided with a run of warm weather and a relaxation of the government’s coronavirus measures. 

When combined with the strong form of the Austrian national side, it’s little wonder that ‘public viewing’ sites have sprung up all over Austria. 

READ MORE: Where can I watch Austria’s Euro 2020 matches in Vienna? 

One area of confusion however has been the rules for public viewings, with fans asking whether they can sing, cheer and dance - and whether masks are still required. 

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Must stay seated - but can go mask free

Lieutenant Colonel Markus Tilli told Austria’s Kronen Zeitung newspaper that the rules for watching football at large gatherings were the same as in any pub or restaurant - i.e. that no special dispensations were made for football fans. 

This means that people need to be vaccinated, recovered or test negative to the virus to attend - i.e. in compliance with Austria’s 3G rule. 

‘3G Rule’: How to prove you have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid in Austria

Everyone in attendance will have to be seated - but will be allowed to remove their masks. 

Tilli said that people were only allowed to get out of their seats to go to the toilet. 

He did however say that the police did exercise a certain amount of discretion in specific moments, for instance when celebrating a goal or singing the national anthem. 

The rules will however change from July 1st, when almost all coronavirus measures will be relaxed - making it another incentive for the national side to progress further through the tournament. 

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