Starting today, December 20, 2021, only travelers who have a valid 2G certificate will be allowed into Austria. Those who have been vaccinated or have recovered must also be able to prove a current PCR test or their third vaccination in order to avoid quarantine.
Self-isolation can then be avoided by having a 72-hour valid PCR test or proof of a booster vaccination. Home quarantine is not complete until a PCR test is taken after entry and a negative result is confirmed. In this case, registration by a pre-travel clearance is also mandatory.
Austrians, EU and EEA citizens and residents of Austria must also present a 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.
Exceptions
Pregnant women and persons who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons are exempted from the requirements of a 2G proof as well as the additional PCR test or the 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, especially at this time, to counteract the spread of Omicron in Austria,” said Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein. “This is the only way we can maintain the current epidemiological relaxation in Austria in the best possible way,” Mückstein said.
Children of school age will be allowed to enter the country with the Ninja Passport or similar proof of testing. Children under the age of twelve are also not affected by the rules. They only have to be quarantined and registered for pre-travel clearance together with their accompanying adult if the adult also has to be isolated. However, an 11-year-old child, for example, does not have to be quarantined after entering the country with his or her parents, who are either triple-vaccinated or double-vaccinated and freshly PCR-tested, according to the latest regulation.
3G rule for commuters
For commuters, there is another exemption rule. Here, the usual 3G rule remains in place. 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: oe24.at/orf.at/picture: EUobserver.com
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