New laws and changes starting May 1, 2023 in Austria

There are several new laws and changes again in May: The Corona mask requirement falls, but traffic fines increase—an overview. A new month always brings new laws and changes. Also, in May 2023 are again so some. At the forefront this time is the end of the Corona mask requirement in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes, as well as stricter traffic fines if you are caught driving with a cell phone or not wearing a seat belt. But there are also many other innovations. ➤ Many banks are reacting…

Read More

Mask requirements at doctor’s offices and hospitals, and nursing homes end

On Monday, May 1, part of the remaining Corona rules will end. This means that the mask requirement, which was in effect until last, is also history in vulnerable areas such as hospitals, retirement and nursing homes, and doctors’ offices. The so-called risk group exemption will also expire. At the end of June, the obligation to report a covid illness will also be a thing of the past. However, despite the end of the mask obligation, physicians can still insist that patients and accompanying persons wear an FFP2 mask in…

Read More

Vienna parking sticker changes from October

Vienna is changing its parking sticker as of October 1. It will no longer be collected using a Pickerl but license plate recognition.“The Pickerl is no longer a sticker, but a license plate recognition, as you might know it from one or the other underground car park,” said Vienna’s transport councilor Ulli Sima (SPÖ) in the ORF program “Wien heute”. The sticking on the windshield and also the uphill scraping off ends thus. Area-wide parking sticker in Vienna since March 2022Since March 2022, a short-term parking zone has been in…

Read More

Medical association continues to recommend masks in doctor’s offices

The Medical Association of Lower Austria recommends wearing masks in ordination for infections even after the end of the mask requirement.The end for all Corona measures with June 30.“The end of many Corona rules is to be welcomed,” said Harald Schlögel, president of the Medical Association of Lower Austria. “But a mask not only protects against the Corona virus, it also protects against other infectious diseases.” Infectious diseases decreased due to masksWhen wearing them was still mandatory in many places during the pandemic, many infectious diseases were prevented or pushed…

Read More

Heavy thunderstorms “with heavy rain and hail” approaching

A cold front is battering Austria hard on Saturday. Violent thunderstorms are expected in the country’s east, among other places. This is where it’s supposed to crash.According to the meteorologists of UBIMENT, behind the warm front follows the warm sector of the low, where with some sunshine, unstable air stratification can occur. On Saturday, the cold front will also pass over the east during the day. On the northern side of the Alps and in the east, isolated rain showers will start early in the morning, while in the south,…

Read More

New traffic fines fixed – what motorists need to know

Motorists beware! As of May 1, certain traffic violations will become more expensive in Austria. This concerns: cell phone driving or the also the seat belt obligation. On May 1, 2023, parts of the 41st amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act 1967 (KFG) will come into force. Within the scope of this, specific penalty amounts will also be increased. Cell phone in the car, seat belt – the new catalog of penalties. “The organ mandate when using a cell phone at the wheel without hands-free device will then cost 100…

Read More

Temperatures rise to spring levels

As the month draws to a close, the weather remains suitably changeable for April, but temperatures rise to spring levels.Over 20 degrees are, in many cases, at least intermittently indoors, despite repeatedly appearing clouds. On Friday, dense clouds cover the sky, especially in the west and along the northern side of the Alps. It often rains persistently, otherwise only intermittently. Towards the east, there will be less rain, but even there, the clouds will remain dense throughout the day. In the south, there will be little rain, but even here,…

Read More

Higher penalties: It will be more expensive for traffic offenders as of May

Cell phones at the wheel will now be even more expensive! As of May 1, you will have to pay a fine of 100 euros instead of 50 euros for using a cell phone in a vehicle without a hands-free device. Violations of the seat belt and helmet requirements will also be significantly increased. Starting in May, traffic offenders in Austria will be asked to pay more: The organ mandate for using a cell phone at the wheel without a hands-free device will cost 100 instead of the previous 50…

Read More

Apply for passports in time for the vacation season

The vacation season is approaching, so now is the right time to check whether the passport is valid.It is advisable to apply now to avoid longer waiting times when applying for passports. “Anyone who needs a new passport during the summer vacations should ideally come as soon as possible to one of the passport service points in the municipal district offices, which can be selected at will,” recommends Jürgen Czernohorszky, the city councilor responsible. Security passports are produced centrally for Austria.Due to the high-security requirements, security passports are produced centrally…

Read More