Austria Tightens Covid-19 Rules as Cases Rise

8th November 2021

Last modified on November 9th, 2021

The alpine nation is battling a surge in cases as its ski resorts begin to open. Unvaccinated people will need to follow further constraints as the government implements Level 4 restrictions. UPDATED

Austria recorded more than 9,300 new daily cases on Friday.

It has a population of 9million.

It is a record for this year and the country is now seeing 594 confirmed cases per 100,000 of population over a 7-day period.

4-weeks ago the figures was 163.

Austria has overtaken the UK, that is now seeing a falling number of cases and has 367 cases per 100,000.

It is 173 in Switzerland, 75 in France and 59 in Italy.

In Austria only 64% of the population is fully vaccinated which is below the EU average of 67%.

The authorities are urging people to get vaccinated to stem the rise and this new move is part of that measure.

From Monday 8th November only those people vaccinated or who have had Covid-19 will allowed into restaurants, hotels and cultural venues such as theatres and cinemas.

A negative Covid test will not be accepted for close contact services such as at the hairdressers.

Only people vaccinated or who have had the virus can attend gatherings of 25 people or more.

“No one wants to divide society, but it is our responsibility to protect the people in our country,” said the Austrian Chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg.

“The situation in Austria is serious, as in a number of other European countries.

“The dynamism is extraordinary and occupancy rates in the intensive care beds are increasing significantly faster than expected,” he added.

Some regions, including Vienna and the Tirol have already increased restrictions ahead of the national move to ‘2G’.

Austria’s Covid-19 rules are based on 3 ‘G’s: Geimpft (vaccinated), Genesen (recovered) and Getestet (tested negative).

Tirol tightens its Covid-19 rules as cases rise

See here for the latest rules from the Tirol.

“The new rules bring hardly any restrictions for vaccinated and recovered persons,” said a statement from the Tirol Tourist Office.

“For the unvaccinated, on the other hand, there are now significant restrictions”.

The national changes mean that the whole country is now at Level 4.

Level 5 would see a lock down for all unvaccinated people and they would only be allowed to leave their home under certain circumstances.

The new regulations will be in effect until December 6th in the first instance.

The new rules will not impact in UK skiers and snowboarders as unvaccinated people are unable to enter the country.

In ski resorts FFP2 face masks are required to be worn in enclosed lifts and covid passes need to be shown.

FFP2 mask on the ski slopes of Austria

The Austrian National Tourist Office, ANTO, is currently lobbying the national government to change the rules for children over 12-years old.

It wants them to be allowed in with a single jab.

“The ANTO is already in exchange with the embassy,” it said in a statement to PlanetSKI,

“Switzerland had last week confirmed that they allow 1x vaccinated children (over 12 years old).

“It would be good if we follow suit here. Testing will be free for guests in winter. But as long as 2G is upright the situation will be generally difficult for families.”

Ski resorts in Austria are beginning to open with several resorts offering skiing on their glaciers and high altitude areas.

They include Hintertux, Soelden, Pitztal, Stubai, Kaunertal, Kaprun and Kitzbuhel.

Other resorts such as Ischgl and Obergurgl open towards the end of November, with others following suit in December.