These rules apply from May 19 for restaurants, events, sports and the like

Spread the love

Read Time:5 Minute, 52 Second

After more than half a year of lockdown, Austria wants to open up again despite persistently high infection figures. With a few exceptions, such as bars and discos, almost everywhere will be relaxed as of May 19. Tourists from Austria and abroad are just as welcome as guests in restaurants and coffee houses. Theaters are to be opened just as sports facilities. At schools, classes will even be filled again as early as May 17.

Despite continued high infection figures, Austria is driving an opening strategy from May 19. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) announced at a press conference following a meeting of the government, federal states and social partners that gastronomy will reopen from that date.

Tourism will also start, with guests from abroad welcome. The cultural scene can also resume operations, indoor sports will be allowed. Team and contact sports may also be practiced again.

This is the opening schedule:

? Tests
A prerequisite is a test. A validity of 72 hours has been set for PCR tests and 48 hours for antigen tests. For self-tests it is only 24 hours.

Recovery also counts as an admission, but only if the disease did not occur more than six months ago. Vaccinated persons are automatically admitted if more than three weeks have passed since the first sting.

???? Contact restrictions.
No general curfew restrictions at night. Outside the private living area, the following applies: meetings of maximum 10 people (+ children) are possible outdoors, indoors a maximum of 4 adults (+ children) are allowed. For meetings with more people, the event regulations apply.
In the time between 10 pm and 5 am are generally only meetings of max. 4 adults possible
? Schools
As of May 17, schools are back to attendance mode.
Mouth-nose protection (MNS) must be worn in lower grades.
In upper grades FFP2 masks are mandatory
In schools, testing is done 3x per week (self-testing is allowed).
Occupational testing of teachers is done with supervised self-testing at school
Singing and sports are allowed outdoors only
Multi-day school events are not allowed
? Gastronomy
Food service may reopen as of May 19
FFP2 masks are mandatory outside the assigned seating area
Upon entry, a test must be taken, or a valid negative test result, vaccination certificate, or confirmation of a passed illness must be presented
Guests must register with their name and contact information upon entry
A group of guests may include max. 4 adults (+ associated children) indoors and max. 10 adults outdoors
A minimum distance of 2 meters must be kept between the persons of other tables
In enclosed areas, consumption may only take place in a seated position
Self-service buffets may be operated under hygiene conditions
Every catering establishment must draw up a prevention concept and appoint a COVID 19 officer
FFP2 masks are mandatory for employees with customer contact.
Employees who are tested as part of occupational group testing may wear a simple mouth-nose protection instead of an FFP2 mask
Closing time is at 10 p.m.
? Tourism
Start of the hotel industry is also on May 19.
FFP2 mask requirement in general areas.
Upon entering, a test must be taken, or a valid negative test result, a vaccination certificate or confirmation of a disease passed through must be presented
Guests must register their name and contact information upon entering (as is standard practice in lodging anyway)
In principle, a distance of 2 meters must be maintained
If further services or gastronomy are used in the hotel, self-tests under on-site supervision are required every 2 days after a stay beyond the validity of the entry test
The same rules apply for hotel gastronomy as for normal gastronomy (incl. closing time at 10 p.m.)
? Trade fairs and congresses:
Trade fairs and congresses are also possible again – with registration and testing/vaccination/healing. FFP2 mask requirement also applies.

? Culture & Events
FFP2 masks are compulsory throughout.
Upon entering, a test must be taken, or a valid negative test result, a vaccination certificate or confirmation of having been through an illness must be shown
Visitors must register with their name and contact information upon entry
As a general rule, a distance of 2 meters, outside of an assigned seating area, must be maintained
There must be at least one empty seat between groups of visitors
Officially approved events with assigned seating may be held outdoors with a maximum of 3000 people and indoors with a maximum of 1500 people
Venues with fixed seating may be used to a maximum of 50% capacity
Events without assigned seating may have a maximum of 50 people (indoor and outdoor).
Events with 11 or more persons are subject to notification; events with 51 or more persons require a permit from the health authority
Rules for event catering are analogous to catering (no catering at events without assigned seating)
Each event organizer must create a prevention concept and appoint a COVID-19 officer
Closing time is at 10 p.m.
⚽ Sports facilities/sports activities
Indoor:

FFP2 masks mandatory in general areas (e.g., reception, locker room).
Upon entering, a test must be taken, or a valid negative test result, vaccination certificate, or confirmation of a disease that has been passed must be presented
Athletes must register with their name and contact information upon entering (as is standard practice in lodging anyway)
In principle, a distance of 2 meters must be maintained
20m² of space must be available per person
No mask obligation applies for the time of the sport practice and the distance rule can be undercut for contact sports for a short time. Thus, contact sports such as soccer are allowed again
Outdoor:

Sports are possible in team sizes customary for the sport in question
For contact and team sports, a test must be taken, or a valid negative test result, a vaccination certificate or confirmation of an illness that has been passed must be presented
Each sports facility (indoor and outdoor) must create a prevention concept and appoint a COVID-19 officer(s)
The event regulations (notification/permit requirement) apply to any spectators at sports facilities, but not to the sporting activity itself.
Closing time is 10 p.m.
Popular sports in groups of the usual size for the type of sport in public spaces, but no more than 10 people.
?♀️ Recreational facilities
FFP2 masks are mandatory.
When entering indoor areas, a test must be taken, or a valid negative test result, a vaccination certificate or confirmation of a disease that has been passed must be shown
Visitors must register with their name and contact details when entering (as is standard practice in accommodation anyway)
As a general rule, a distance of 2 meters must be maintained
In the case of indoor facilities, baths and spas, 20 m² of space must be available per guest in the respective enclosed space
Each leisure facility must draw up a prevention concept and appoint a COVID 19 officer
For rides (e.g. carousel), there must be an empty seat between visitors. Customer registration is not required
Closing time is 10 pm
? Regional
The states may independently impose stricter regulations than the federal government. For high incidence areas (more than 300 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), there is an exit test requirement.