More Austria Ski Resorts Reopen as National Lockdown is Lifted

12th December 2021

They open after the national lockdown in the country ends. Restrictions remain in place with some of the provinces having their own tougher regional rules. NEW

Some ski resorts in Austria have been making final preparations for opening in recent days.

“Preparations are going on at full speed. The freshly fallen snow needs to be prepared. The conditions are excellent for the start of the season! You can look forward to it!” said a statement from the resort of Lech.

Some ski resorts are already open as the activities of skiing and snowboarding are defined as ‘outdoor recreation’ and have been allowed under the national lockdown rules.

Austria goes into lockdown but skiing can continue

The Federal government is allowing a wide range of businesses, from non-essential shops to theatres, restaurants and hairdressers to re-open after the national lockdown ends.

The easing of lockdown will only apply to those people who are double vaccinated.

We reported on it when the announcement was made.

Covid-19 rules unveiled as Austria lockdown set to end

Apres ski bars and nightclubs remain closed under the national rules until at least January 9th.

Restaurants and cafes need to close by 11pm.

A health pass is a requirement to use ski lifts and people need to wear an FFP2 mask in many settings.

They are needed on lifts and in queues, but not out on the slopes while skiing.

FFP2 mask on the ski slopes of Austria.

The nine Austrian provinces have the option to keep tougher measures in place.

The Tirol, Vorarlberg and Burgenland will comply with the national measures and not put in place further measures.

Ski resorts in the Tirol are set to open.

The Tirol has sent us a summary of its rules:

– Sunday, 12 December marks the end of the lockdown for vaccinated and recovered people.

– This applies to all trade, culture, sport, gastronomy and the hotel industry. Night catering (incl. aprés ski, bars, standing catering) is excluded.

– A closing time of 11 p.m. applies to the gastronomy.

– Events with allocated seating are permitted for up to 2000 people indoors and 4000 outdoors.

– Events without allocated seats are possible for up to 25 people indoors and 300 outdoors.

– Indoor use of FFP2 masks is compulsory (gastronomy except at own seat, events, sports except during exercise, museums, public transport, etc.).

– Service providers close to the body can also open (hairdresser, cosmetician, etc.).

– In all these areas, a 2G verification requirement applies.

– The lockdown for the unvaccinated remains in place.

In Carinthia restaurants and cafes are set to re-open on December 17th.

Hotels are set to re-open to tourists on the same date, December 17th.

Upper Austria, that has a handful of small ski areas, says it is planning to stay in lockdown until December 17th.

It has the highest infection rates in the country.

Vienna is to keep some of the lockdown measures in place including bars and restaurants remaining shut until December 20th.

In Salzburg, Lower Austria and Styria bars will remain shut until December 17th.

We reported on the national lockdown in Austria as it was introduced.

Austria to go into full lockdown

Austria is set to introduce compulsory vaccinations by the beginning of February 2022.

The Austrian chancellor, Karl Nehammer, said he wanted to turn the “tendency of falling cases into a trend.”

“The lockdown for the un-vaccinated is staying,” he said.

“For all the un-vaccinated who are suffering from the fact they are staying in lockdown, there is a clear offer: you can come out of it if you seize the chance to get vaccinated.”