▶ Border controls doubled starting today, 09. July 2020
▶ Warning for Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova
▶ 1450 Euro penalty for quarantine crusher
Austria is reacting to the rapidly increasing number of corona infections in the Balkans: with immediate effect the existing travel warnings will be supplemented by Romania, Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova. “I am well aware that we have close ties, including family ties, with the Western Balkans. But please do not travel to these countries”, appeals Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
The travel restrictions are intended to prevent further cases of illness from being “brought in” from abroad. Recently in Upper Austria, some clusters could be traced back to returnees from the Western Balkans and South-Eastern Europe.
Anyone entering from a country with a travel warning must present a negative covid test or undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. This was already the case in the past – but at many borders there were only random checks. This is now to change: Border controls with Slovenia and Hungary will be doubled from today. The focus will be on returnees from Balkan states, among other things, all returnees without exception will be checked.
Quarantine is not observed
There will be more stringent controls on quarantine compliance. Recently, in Upper Austria and elsewhere, people who tested positive had not complied with house quarantine. “This is no trivial offence”, said Kurz. The penalties are up to 1450 euros – considerably more for those who are tested positive.
— Hector Pascua, with reports from the Austrian Foreign Ministry
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