Austria is tightening its entry regulations to curb the omicron variant. The new regulation will come into force next Monday, the health ministry announced Friday evening. In the future, only men and women who have valid proof of 2G will be allowed into Austria. Otherwise, travelers must be quarantined. Self-isolation can only be avoided by having a PCR test valid for 72 hours or proof of a booster vaccination.
However, those who are neither freshly tested nor have already had their third sting must be quarantined from December 20 after arrival in Austria. Entry is still possible. Home quarantine is only terminated when a PCR test has been made after entry and a negative result has been confirmed. In this case, registration through a pre-travel clearance is also mandatory.
“Major challenges”
Pregnant women and persons who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons are exempted from the requirements of 2G detection and the additional PCR test or booster vaccination. The exceptional reason must be proven by a medical certificate. There are also special rules for children.
“These stricter entry regulations bring great challenges, especially for people traveling abroad over the Christmas holidays. However, they are necessary at this particular time to counteract the spread of Omicron in Austria,” said Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein.
Free testing from day 5
Children of school age are allowed to enter the country with the Ninja Passport or similar proof of testing. Children under the age of 12 are also not affected by the rules. However, they must be quarantined like their adult companion if the accompanying adult is quarantined upon entry, and must register for pre-travel clearance.
Austrians, EU and EEA citizens and Austrian residents must also present valid proof of vaccination or a certificate of recovery upon entry. Otherwise, a ten-day quarantine must be entered. The possibility of early free testing exists from the fifth day. In this case, registration via pre-travel clearance is also mandatory.
Exception for commuters
Another exception applies to commuters. Here, the usual 3G rule remains in effect. Here, persons must be vaccinated, recovered or have tested negative.
In addition to the stricter entry regulations, the states of Angola, Zambia and Malawi are also added to the list of virus variant areas. Direct flights from these states are banned from landing at all Austrian airports.
- source. kurier.at/picture:
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