In what form has Austria reacted to the virus variant so far?
On November 27, Austria imposed entry bans from South Africa and six other countries. Aircraft from these countries are no longer allowed to land. On the list so far Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
What does this mean for holidaymakers returning from these regions?
Austrians who after a trip from these as Virus Variants Regions When you come home in the designated countries, you have to have a negative PCR test with you at the airport and then be in quarantine for ten days, this also applies to vaccinated people. For returnees who have recovered from a corona infection in the past 90 days, there is a small relief: They do not need a test, only the official notice of recovery. They still have to be quarantined.
Are further tightenings planned? In December 2020 Austria introduced quarantine rules to minimize travel around Christmas.
The federal government is currently not planning any improvements. “From the current perspective, no substantial tightening of the entry regulations are planned around Christmas,” said the Ministry of Health on Wednesday. “Minor adjustments are currently in development.”
Which countries now have stricter rules?
So far, the UK, India, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Tunisia, Greece and Cyprus have responded to Omikron. They are now demanding at least negative corona tests from vaccinated and convalescent people. Ireland and Portugal accept antigen tests (up to 48 hours) and PCR tests (up to 72 hours), Italy the same, but with a shorter period of validity (antigen test maximum 24, PCR test up to 48 hours). the Switzerland requires PCR tests (up to 72 hours), exception: immunized persons from Tyrol and Vorarlberg do not need any tests, this is considered a border region. In Tunisia the PCR test is valid for up to 48 hours, Cyprus requires a PCR test on site (15 euros, until the result is negative, quarantine in the hotel applies). Great Britain requests a negative PCR test before entry (up to 48 hours) and a second after arrival; quarantine applies until the result is negative. In the event that requires negative tests plus quarantine (seven days).
Israel, Japan, Malaysia have issued general entry bans for tourists. Australia, Morocco and the Philippines their already planned border openings postponed again.
What applies when entering Austria?
This is regulated in the entry ordinance. For Austrian return travelers or tourists from “countries or areas with a low epidemiological risk”, the 2.5-G rule applies, i.e. vaccinated, recovered or PCR-tested.
On this list are currently around 50 states: Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Principality of Liechtenstein, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jordan, Canada, Qatar, Croatia, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau , Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Hungary, Uruguay, Vatican and Vietnam. Anyone who does not arrive immunized without a test can submit it within 24 hours upon entry from these countries, so there is no quarantine for unvaccinated people here.
For all other countries that are not listed here or that fall under the virus variant areas, the following applies: There are no restrictions for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered, but for those who have been tested they have to be in quarantine for ten days (freest possible after five days). This applies to, among other things Albania, Great Britain or the USA. Registration is also mandatory.