An overview of the most important lockdown regulations

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All of Austria is in lockdown again. Austrian Press presents an overview of the most important lockdown regulations:

In the past days and weeks, one negative record followed the next. Thousands of new infections with the coronavirus were recorded every day. On Sunday, 14,042 infections were reported in just 24 hours. Meanwhile, Austria-wide, the seven-day incidence per 100,000 inhabitants is also above the one-thousand mark: on Sunday, it was 1086. These figures are also reflected in the hospitals. Almost 3000 people have to be hospitalized for covid infection, 528 of them in intensive care. To break the fierce fourth wave, experts are pushing for a contact reduction of 30 percent. In the past, this could only be achieved through a lockdown.

From Monday, a general lockdown will apply to everyone – that is, exit restrictions for vaccinated, recovered and unvaccinated persons. The measure is planned for 20 days throughout Austria. After ten days, an evaluation will be carried out, and the general lockdown is to end on Sunday, December 12 at the latest. In Upper Austria, the measure is to last until December 17, as announced by Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP).

Stores for daily needs remain open

Throughout the lockdown period, stores for daily needs will remain open, such as supermarkets, drugstores or pharmacies. Apart from canteens in companies or hospitals and health resorts, restaurants and cafeterias will remain closed. Only the collection of food and beverages – sold in sealed containers – and delivery services are permitted. Consumption is again prohibited within a radius of 50 meters from restaurants. Guests who have already checked into a hotel before the lockdown takes effect may stay until the end of their booked stay. Those who need a hotel room for business reasons or to satisfy an “urgent housing need” may continue to move in.

When may one still leave the house?

One may only leave one’s own four walls for reasons known from past lockdowns. These include: averting an immediate danger to life, limb and property, meeting the necessary basic needs of daily life – such as shopping – contact with important caregivers, taking care of animals, to stretch one’s feet, or to pursue one’s job or education.

Private meetings and contacts

Contact is permitted with a domestic partner not living in the same household, individual immediate family members or significant others with whom physical or non-physical contact is usually maintained several times a week. Only one household plus one person from another household may attend the meetings. For example, a woman who lives in an apartment with her boyfriend may meet with a very close couple with children who live in another household. However, the boyfriend may not be there at the same time.

The regulations for private individuals apply regardless of the federal state borders. A daughter who lives in Vienna can therefore also visit her parents in Linz – and vice versa.

What applies when entering and leaving the country?

When leaving the country, the regulations of the destination country apply. For entry into Austria, a 2.5G certificate is required – antigen and antibody tests lose their validity. Commuters crossing the border for work, school or family reasons are exempt from this requirement: For them, the 3G proof continues to apply. But: the previously privileged duration of PCR tests of seven days for commuters will be shortened to a validity of 72 hours. Antigen tests are now only valid for 24 hours. The Ninja Pass is valid for school-age children as proof during the week in which the testing intervals are observed, including on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of that week and (if testing is secured immediately after entry) on Monday of the following week.

How are visits to hospitals or nursing homes regulated?

Answer: Visitors need a 2G detection as well as a current negative PCR test in addition. In hospitals, one visitor per patient per week is allowed, minors and support persons are not allowed.