EXPLAINED: What are the Covid-19 rules in Austria now?
Austria's Covid-19 rules have been tightened in response to the Omicron variant. Here's what you need to know.
This is an overview of the rules that apply in Austria domestically. To find out the latest rules for entering Austria, click here to read our overview.
The following rules apply nationwide. Some regions introduce stricter (but not more lenient) rules in addition to these, in particular regarding events. You can see an overview of nationwide and regional measures in German on the Health Ministry's website.
Lockdown for people without proof of 2G
A nationwide lockdown is in place for anyone without 2G proof(full vaccination or recovery from Covid-19, though teenagers in compulsory schooling can use a negative test instead of 2G).
This means leaving the home is only possible for people in this group for essential reasons including exercise, buying food or essential supplies, or going to work. This lockdown is currently in place until at least January 10th and can only be extended for a maximum of ten days at a time, but the government has said it expects to keep this rule until February.
Face masks
Face masks must be worn in all enclosed public areas. That includes public transport, shops and supermarkets, hairdressers, salons, hotels, restaurants and cafes except while seated at a table, and at events.
In general, where masks are required these should always be FFP2 masks.
For children aged under 7, no mask is required, and for children aged under 14 and pregnant women a cloth or surgical face mask may be worn as an alternative to FFP2 masks.
From January 11th, masks will also be required in outdoor spaces where a two-metre distance cannot be maintained, potentially including on pavements and in pedestrian zones for example. Regions can introduce additional outdoor mask mandates in specific busy areas.
Shops and services
Non-essential retail stores, services requiring close physical contact (sometimes called ‘body-hugging services’ as a direct English translation from the German) including hairdressers and beauty salons, and hotels are all open. These establishments all have a 2G requirement and an FFP2 mask requirement. From January 11th, 2G checks will be stepped up with all shops required to check vaccine certificates either at entrances or at checkouts.
People without proof of 2G may only visit these establishments for Click & Collect, ie. to pick up goods they have already ordered or purchased online or by phone.
Drinking and dining
Night gastronomy (late-night bars, nightclubs and après ski venues) will remain closed until at least January 9th.
In other catering venues (restaurants and cafes) a 10pm closing time applies as well as 2G rules (people without proof of 2G may still pick up food for take-away, and must wear an FFP2 mask).
Food should be consumed while seated only (except if outdoors, when standing dining is allowed), and FFP2 masks are required except while seated (for example when you enter, or when you leave your room to go to the toilet).
Work
Working from home is recommended where possible.
At the workplace, a 3G rule applies (proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test). In all enclosed areas, there is an FFP2 mask mandate.
Events
Events can can go ahead with different rules depending on the type of venue (ie. whether or not it has assigned seating) and the 'proof of low epidemiological risk' that is provided by attendees.
For indoor or outdoor events without assigned seating, the limit is 25 people and both 2G and FFP2 masks are mandatory. For indoor or outdoor events with assigned seating, FFP2 masks are mandatory and the limit is 500 people if all attendees have 2G; 1,000 people if all attendees adhere to 2G+ (proof of full vaccination or recovery plus a negative PCR test); and the limit is 2,000 people if all attendees have received 3 vaccine doses and also have a negative PCR test. For outdoor events without
If there are more than 50 people, one person must be in charge of implementing a Covid-19 infection prevention plan and authorities must be notified of the event; for events over 250 people the organiser must apply for permission.
Social distancing
There is no legal regulation around the distance you need to keep from people from other households.
However, the government recommends keeping a minimum distance of 2 metres as often as possible. This is worth being aware of in situations such as work, when queuing in shops, or in busy public areas.
Useful links
Current Covid measures in Austria from the Health Ministry
Multilingual information on Covid-19 from the Health Ministry
Covid-19 information from the Austrian Tourist Board
Information on booking your Covid-19 vaccine from Austrian authorities
Information on booking a Covid-19 test from Austrian authorities
24-hour health advice hotline to call if you experience Covid-19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive: call 1450 from Austrian phones or +43 1 1450 from foreign phones
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See Also
This is an overview of the rules that apply in Austria domestically. To find out the latest rules for entering Austria, click here to read our overview.
The following rules apply nationwide. Some regions introduce stricter (but not more lenient) rules in addition to these, in particular regarding events. You can see an overview of nationwide and regional measures in German on the Health Ministry's website.
Lockdown for people without proof of 2G
A nationwide lockdown is in place for anyone without 2G proof(full vaccination or recovery from Covid-19, though teenagers in compulsory schooling can use a negative test instead of 2G).
This means leaving the home is only possible for people in this group for essential reasons including exercise, buying food or essential supplies, or going to work. This lockdown is currently in place until at least January 10th and can only be extended for a maximum of ten days at a time, but the government has said it expects to keep this rule until February.
Face masks
Face masks must be worn in all enclosed public areas. That includes public transport, shops and supermarkets, hairdressers, salons, hotels, restaurants and cafes except while seated at a table, and at events.
In general, where masks are required these should always be FFP2 masks.
For children aged under 7, no mask is required, and for children aged under 14 and pregnant women a cloth or surgical face mask may be worn as an alternative to FFP2 masks.
From January 11th, masks will also be required in outdoor spaces where a two-metre distance cannot be maintained, potentially including on pavements and in pedestrian zones for example. Regions can introduce additional outdoor mask mandates in specific busy areas.
Shops and services
Non-essential retail stores, services requiring close physical contact (sometimes called ‘body-hugging services’ as a direct English translation from the German) including hairdressers and beauty salons, and hotels are all open. These establishments all have a 2G requirement and an FFP2 mask requirement. From January 11th, 2G checks will be stepped up with all shops required to check vaccine certificates either at entrances or at checkouts.
People without proof of 2G may only visit these establishments for Click & Collect, ie. to pick up goods they have already ordered or purchased online or by phone.
Drinking and dining
Night gastronomy (late-night bars, nightclubs and après ski venues) will remain closed until at least January 9th.
In other catering venues (restaurants and cafes) a 10pm closing time applies as well as 2G rules (people without proof of 2G may still pick up food for take-away, and must wear an FFP2 mask).
Food should be consumed while seated only (except if outdoors, when standing dining is allowed), and FFP2 masks are required except while seated (for example when you enter, or when you leave your room to go to the toilet).
Work
Working from home is recommended where possible.
At the workplace, a 3G rule applies (proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test). In all enclosed areas, there is an FFP2 mask mandate.
Events
Events can can go ahead with different rules depending on the type of venue (ie. whether or not it has assigned seating) and the 'proof of low epidemiological risk' that is provided by attendees.
For indoor or outdoor events without assigned seating, the limit is 25 people and both 2G and FFP2 masks are mandatory. For indoor or outdoor events with assigned seating, FFP2 masks are mandatory and the limit is 500 people if all attendees have 2G; 1,000 people if all attendees adhere to 2G+ (proof of full vaccination or recovery plus a negative PCR test); and the limit is 2,000 people if all attendees have received 3 vaccine doses and also have a negative PCR test. For outdoor events without
If there are more than 50 people, one person must be in charge of implementing a Covid-19 infection prevention plan and authorities must be notified of the event; for events over 250 people the organiser must apply for permission.
Social distancing
There is no legal regulation around the distance you need to keep from people from other households.
However, the government recommends keeping a minimum distance of 2 metres as often as possible. This is worth being aware of in situations such as work, when queuing in shops, or in busy public areas.
Useful links
Current Covid measures in Austria from the Health Ministry
Multilingual information on Covid-19 from the Health Ministry
Covid-19 information from the Austrian Tourist Board
Information on booking your Covid-19 vaccine from Austrian authorities
Information on booking a Covid-19 test from Austrian authorities
24-hour health advice hotline to call if you experience Covid-19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive: call 1450 from Austrian phones or +43 1 1450 from foreign phones
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