Splendid Advent at the Viennese Christmas Market in Schönbrunn

The German expression “Es weihnachtet sehr” (It’s getting very Christmassy) fits the mood in Vienna as Austria’s capital decks itself out in style for the holiday season. The center of the old Habsburg empire treats locals and visitors to quaint Christmas markets featuring crafts and decorations, hot punch, and baked goods in all the city’s main squares. Numerous exhibitors sell handicrafts, Christmas decorations, toys, and regional delicacies at the Vienna Christmas Market in Schönbrunn. Plenty of punch and tea will be provided at this Vienna Christmas Market. Complete Advent program…

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Vignette 2023 is valid from today

Whether adhesive vignette or the digital version: as of today, December 1, the vignette 2023 is valid. The adhesive vignette 2023 in purple has been available since November 22 at 6,000 sales outlets in Austria and abroad. The digital vignette is available in the ASFINAG toll store and free app. From December 1, both versions (digital, considering the consumer protection period) are valid. The “old” annual vignette in apricot is still valid until January 31, 2023. “67 percent of all annual vignettes are already digital. Besides the benefits for customers,…

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Triple flu wave now rolling toward Austria

After two years in which Corona measures slowed the infections, the wave is sweeping back. The youngest, in particular, are suffering. The protective measures against the Coronavirus – mandatory masks, social distancing, lockdowns, etc. – have had a side effect: in the last two years, there has also been a decrease in flu cases. The usual waves of flu in the fall and winter largely failed to materialize. However, with the end of most restrictions, there is the threat of another wave of viruses, particularly severe. Experts speak of a…

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4,428 new Corona infections reported Tuesday

New Corona infection numbers in Austria have increased for two weeks. According to AGES, 4,428 new Corona cases were recorded on Tuesday. This is above the average for the past seven days, with 4,308 new Corona cases added daily. The seven-day incidence rose to 334 cases per 100,000 population. There are currently 42,170 laboratory-confirmed active Corona cases in Austria, up 1,613 from the previous day. 5,554,975 confirmed Corona cases since the start of the pandemicThere have already been 5,554,975 confirmed cases in Austria since the pandemic began. In the past…

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2,814 new Corona infections reported Monday

Corona case numbers are rising again in Austria, and hospitals are seeing more infected patients. On Monday, 2,814 new coronavirus infections were reported. As usual, there was less testing over the weekend, so the number of new infections is below the weekly average. Two thousand eight hundred fourteen new corona infections on Monday.According to the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), 2,814 new coronavirus infections were recorded on Sunday, compared with an average of 4,317 new cases per day last week. The seven-day incidence rose to 334.7 cases per…

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Mandatory use of FFP2 masks on Vienna’s public transport system throughout winter

The current Corona protection measures in Vienna will probably be in place for longer. As Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) explained, the obligation to wear masks on public transport and the health and care sector provisions will probably remain in place throughout the winter. “It makes sense to maintain certain measures during the colder season,” he said in an interview with APA. The situation in hospitals is still a very demanding one, he indicated. He said one has to pay attention to vulnerable groups – for example, in hospitals or nursing…

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Public transport strike throughout Austria today: all ÖBB trains are at a standstill

All trains are at a standstill because the union wants them. An all-day strike paralyzes all rail traffic in Austria today. At 11:07 a.m. yesterday, talks on a new collective rail agreement broke. Employers offered an increase of 8.44 percent, but the union refused, and 50,000 railroad workers have been on strike since midnight. Meaning: Nothing works until 0 o’clock today. All regional trains of ÖBB and Westbahn are canceled. Train traffic on the entire ÖBB rail network has been suspended because the dispatchers are not working. In the Verkehrsverbund…

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New eco-tax to take effect in January 2023

At the beginning of the year, the “CO2 tax” will increase, which will also affect the gas pumps. This is how expensive full refueling with gasoline and diesel will be. There is no escape anymore. If it was only with the introduction of the “CO2 tax” in October that fuel prices have already climbed by 9.9 cents (diesel) and 8.6 cents (gasoline) per liter, prices at the pumps are already rising again as of January 1. A curious phenomenon occurs: record inflation causes fuel prices to rise less than feared.…

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4,136 new Corona infections reported Friday

According to AGES, the number of new Corona infections registered in Austria on Thursday is below the 5,000 mark. Fewer than 1,000 infected people were in the hospital on Friday morning. According to the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), 4,136 new Corona infections were registered in Austria on Thursday. This is in line with the average of 4,089 cases over the past seven days. There were 942 infected people in the hospital on Friday morning – four fewer than the previous day but eight more than a week…

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