IN DETAIL: How Austria will relax coronavirus measures from Thursday
Austria will relax almost all coronavirus measures from July 1st. Here’s what you need to know.
With infection rates and hospitalisations continuing to fall across Austria, the government is set to further relax almost all remaining coronavirus measures from July 1st.
Only a few will remain, including the 3G Rule - which requires people to prove they have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid in order to take part in most activities.
‘3G Rule’: How to prove you have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid in Austria
Authorities in the capital of Vienna have however been more cautious and have decided against winding back measures to the same extent as the rest of the country.
In Vienna, children must be tested from the age of six and above if they want to go to a swimming pool or a restaurant. The tests cannot be carried out at home.
“The situation is much better than expected,” Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told reporters in mid June when making the announcement, "everything that is fun is back again".
Although he cautioned that people should get the vaccine and not become “overconfident” until they are immunised.
Here are the changes that will be made from July 1st onwards.
For the measures in place until July 1st, click the following link.
READ MORE: What are Austria’s current coronavirus measures?
Limits on crowds relaxed
Groups of up to 100 can meet without restriction, while groups of up to 500 people need to notify authorities.
Groups of over 500 can be allowed to meet but must be subject to approval.
At events, people do not need to keep their distance or wear face coverings anymore.
Visiting stadiums and theatres will also be possible without restrictions.
Distance rules will also be abolished.
Nightlife
Bars and restaurants will no longer have to close at midnight, while capacity and space restrictions will be dropped in almost all industries.
Drinking at the bar and dancing will be allowed again.
Clubs, pubs and restaurants can open up again to 75 percent capacity - and will be allowed to open to 100 percent capacity from July 22nd.
Contact details must still be kept, although that requirement will expire on the 22nd of July.
Vienna has indicated it will keep the contact details requirement in place longer than July.
ANALYSIS: Is Austria relaxing Covid-19 measures too quickly?
Masks
In an interview with the Österreich newspaper on Sunday, June 20th, Kurz said he did not want masks to become “permanent” in Austria, and said it was not part of the culture in Europe, unlike in other places, such as Asia.
From July 1st, medical grade or FFP2 masks will no longer need to be worn anywhere in Austria, other than in the capital of Vienna where they will continue to be required in hospitals and nursing homes.
Masks will only be required in areas where the 3G Rule cannot be checked, i.e. public transport, retail stores and supermarkets.
Non-medical grade mouth protection, i.e. cotton masks or scarves, will again be sufficient in public transport and in supermarkets.
No masks of any kind will be required in outdoor areas, regardless of the size of the event.
Masks will no longer be required in hairdressers, restaurants and bars - i.e. anywhere the 3G Rule applies.
READ MORE: Masks no longer required at hairdressers, gyms or cinema from Thursday
Travel
Austria is set to change its strict entry rules, with people from several non-European countries again allowed to enter.
The list of 'low-risk' countries has been expanded, with the United States and several other countries added.
Unfortunately, the ban on Brits has been extended to August 31st.
Please click here for more information.
The specific measures have been laid out at the government’s official page here.
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With infection rates and hospitalisations continuing to fall across Austria, the government is set to further relax almost all remaining coronavirus measures from July 1st.
Only a few will remain, including the 3G Rule - which requires people to prove they have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid in order to take part in most activities.
‘3G Rule’: How to prove you have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid in Austria
Authorities in the capital of Vienna have however been more cautious and have decided against winding back measures to the same extent as the rest of the country.
In Vienna, children must be tested from the age of six and above if they want to go to a swimming pool or a restaurant. The tests cannot be carried out at home.
“The situation is much better than expected,” Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told reporters in mid June when making the announcement, "everything that is fun is back again".
Although he cautioned that people should get the vaccine and not become “overconfident” until they are immunised.
Here are the changes that will be made from July 1st onwards.
For the measures in place until July 1st, click the following link.
READ MORE: What are Austria’s current coronavirus measures?
Limits on crowds relaxed
Groups of up to 100 can meet without restriction, while groups of up to 500 people need to notify authorities.
Groups of over 500 can be allowed to meet but must be subject to approval.
At events, people do not need to keep their distance or wear face coverings anymore.
Visiting stadiums and theatres will also be possible without restrictions.
Distance rules will also be abolished.
Nightlife
Bars and restaurants will no longer have to close at midnight, while capacity and space restrictions will be dropped in almost all industries.
Drinking at the bar and dancing will be allowed again.
Clubs, pubs and restaurants can open up again to 75 percent capacity - and will be allowed to open to 100 percent capacity from July 22nd.
Contact details must still be kept, although that requirement will expire on the 22nd of July.
Vienna has indicated it will keep the contact details requirement in place longer than July.
ANALYSIS: Is Austria relaxing Covid-19 measures too quickly?
Masks
In an interview with the Österreich newspaper on Sunday, June 20th, Kurz said he did not want masks to become “permanent” in Austria, and said it was not part of the culture in Europe, unlike in other places, such as Asia.
From July 1st, medical grade or FFP2 masks will no longer need to be worn anywhere in Austria, other than in the capital of Vienna where they will continue to be required in hospitals and nursing homes.
Masks will only be required in areas where the 3G Rule cannot be checked, i.e. public transport, retail stores and supermarkets.
Non-medical grade mouth protection, i.e. cotton masks or scarves, will again be sufficient in public transport and in supermarkets.
No masks of any kind will be required in outdoor areas, regardless of the size of the event.
Masks will no longer be required in hairdressers, restaurants and bars - i.e. anywhere the 3G Rule applies.
READ MORE: Masks no longer required at hairdressers, gyms or cinema from Thursday
Travel
Austria is set to change its strict entry rules, with people from several non-European countries again allowed to enter.
The list of 'low-risk' countries has been expanded, with the United States and several other countries added.
Unfortunately, the ban on Brits has been extended to August 31st.
Please click here for more information.
The specific measures have been laid out at the government’s official page here.
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