Vienna's Foreign and Bilateral Relations

Coronavirus in Austria: Live-Ticker

On this website you can find information and guidance in English from Vindobona.org regarding the current outbreak of the coronavirus pandemie (COVID-19) in Austria. Vindobona.org is being informed by local Austrian and global health authorities to rapidly disseminate information and knowledge on this new virus, and to provide advice to travellers and expats on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. Please visit this page for daily updates.

April 1, 2020 · Updated: April 3, 2020; 19:25

Coronavirus in Austria: Update

In the meantime, the coronavirus pandemic has hit Austria hard, and deaths and infections due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are on the rise. New officially confirmed cases of disease are constantly being added. Despite this outbreak in Austria, the situation looks much worse elsewhere. In contrast, however, there are more than 54,000 deaths worldwide due to the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The Austrian health authorities are networked with the relevant bodies within the framework of WHO and EU membership and are in permanent coordination. The international authorities monitor current developments and address the member countries with the following recommendations.

April 3, 2020

Coronavirus Worldwide Update - April 3, 2020

Worldwide deaths has exceed 54,000, according to data collected by the ECDC Centre in Sweden. More than 885,000 people have been infected, while some 220,000 have recovered. According to the WHO World Health Organisation, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is now the USA, where there are already more than 6000 deaths. The number of infected and dead people is currently doubling every four days in most countries. Following is the situation update as of April 3, 2020.

April 3, 2020

Coronavirus in Europe: Update - April 3, 2020

European coronavirus infections have passed 520,000. The number of deaths has now reached 38,680. According to the WHO World Health Organisation, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is still in Europe, together wit hte US, where there are now more deaths than in the rest of the world. The number of infected and dead people is currently doubling every four days in most European countries. Most of the 32 European countries presented in this study are under a state of emergency with curfews and border controls. There is also a lack of doctors, lung respiratory equipment and hospital beds. Following the situation update for the European Union, EEA, United Kingdom and Switzerland, as of April 3, 2020.

April 3, 2020

Explosive Corona Papers: Tens of Thousands of Additional Deaths in Austria

An internal study prepared for the government by a commission of experts on the COVID19 crisis shows a gloomy forecast for Austria. The paper states that under the realistic assumption of a replication factor of 1.7 (i.e. 1 person infects 1.7 people), the Austrian health system will collapse. If it is not possible to push the replication factor below the value of 1, tens of thousands of additional deaths and a collapse of the health care system can be expected in Austria by mid-April.

April 1, 2020

The US Perspective on the Coronavirus Situation in Austria

With 160.00 COVID-19 infected, the United States already took over the sad lead of the list of countries with the most infected. With almost 3,000 deaths, the USA is still in fifth place. But what is the official standpoint of the USA or the State Department towards Austria and what stay-related actions are recommended to US citizens in Austria?

March 30, 2020

German Embassy Vienna: Unusual Repatriation of 300 Germans from Tyrolean Ski Resorts

In an unusual repatriation operation, the German Embassy in Vienna has enabled more than 300 Germans to return home from Austrian quarantine areas.

March 30, 2020

UN Secretary General: "COVID-19 Threatens All Humanity"

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launches a worldwide UN emergency appeal for help to combat the pathogen of the lung disease Covid-19 in the poorest countries of the world. The war chest is to be filled with two billion US-dollars by the end of the year.

March 26, 2020

Isolated Austria: 238 Border Closures Approved

Almost complete border closures to almost all neighbours, Germany (58), Italy (47), Switzerland (30), Liechtenstein (11), Slovenia (51) and Hungary (43), with the exception of Slovakia, have been approved by the main committee of the National Council and have already been implemented.

March 21, 2020

Again Border Controls between Germany and Austria

In the wake of the supposed corona danger coming from Germany, Austria has been further sealing itself off from its neighbours since today. According to Minister of the Interior Nehammer, this measure represents "one of many important ones to stop the spread of the corona virus". Medical certificate needed.

March 19, 2020

COVID-19 Fear: 750 Austrians Brought back Home by Plane

According to the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), about 750 Austrians who were stranded abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic have been flown back to Vienna in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and two airlines. It is not clear who will bear the costs.

March 18, 2020

Austria Suspends Travel also with Great Britain, Russia, the Netherlands and Ukraine

After Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, Iran and parts of China, Austria is now also discontinuing air and rail traffic with Great Britain, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine.

March 15, 2020

COVID-19: Closure of Border Crossing Points with Italy Formally Adopted

Austrian National Council approves closure of 47 border crossings with Italy.

March 15, 2020

Highest Security Level: Austria also Suspends Travelling with Switzerland, Spain and France

In addition to Italy, air and rail traffic to Switzerland, Spain and France will now be discontinued. Alongside the existing border controls, checks are now also carried out at the border to Switzerland. The highest travel warning (security level 6) applies to all 4 countries (incl. Italy). As a result of recent decisions, security level 6 now applies to 6 countries: Italy, Iran, parts of China, Switzerland, Spain and France. The Austrian government's "goal is to prevent a situation like that in Italy with all democratic possibilities".

March 13, 2020

High Security Risk - Travel Warning for Austrians to Return as Long as Still Possible

Due to the coronavirus crisis, Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg has raised the travel warning for all countries worldwide to "high security risk" (security level 4 of 6). He is calling for citizens to return to Austria as long as there are still opportunities for return travel.

March 13, 2020

City of Vienna Signals Willingness to Talk to Rothschild's Heir

In the conflict over a non-profit Rothschild Foundation from 1908, today's Neurological Centre Rosenhügel (Neurologisches Zentrum Rosenhügel), between Geoffrey Hoguet, the grandson of the donor Alfons Freiherr von Rothschild, who lives in New York City, and the City of Vienna's magistrate, the City of Vienna is now offering its "willingness to talk".

March 12, 2020

Coronavirus Update: South Tyrol Confirms First Death

Now the first person infected with the coronavirus has also died in South Tyrol, reports South Tyrol.

March 12, 2020

Austria Appoints 24 New Ambassadors to Austrian Embassies Worldwide

Today the Council of Ministers of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs decided to fill several Austrian diplomatic senior positions abroad.

March 11, 2020

Etihad Airways Adds Abu Dhabi-Vienna Route to its Programme

In times of the coronavirus, when flights are being cancelled, it is encouraging that Etihad Airways will start a non-stop connection between Vienna and Abu Dhabi on 22 May 2020.

March 11, 2020

Crisis Between Athens and Ankara: Greek Prime Minister in Vienna

Thousands of refugees still hope to enter the EU from Turkey. Athens is therefore strengthening its border management, seeking support from the EU and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis travelled to Vienna.

March 11, 2020

Austrian Government Announces Drastic Measures on Coronavirus

In the fight against the coronavirus, the government has announced drastic measures for the first time. Entry ban from Italy, partial suspension of air and train traffic, cancellation of events, suspension of teaching at universities and technical colleges.

March 10, 2020

Coronavirus: Austria Declares Entry Ban for Persons from Italy

Austria's federal government has today passed a travel ban for people from Italy. The primary objective is to prevent the exchange of persons and thus the spread of the COVID-19 disease into our society, said Federal Chancellor Kurz at a press conference with regard to the situation in Italy.

March 10, 2020

Start of Arab-Austrian Cultural Season 2020

The Arab-Austrian Cultural Season 2020 will be carried out under the motto “Austria and Arab Countries: A Cultural Partnership And An Extended History” has officially started.

March 9, 2020

Coronavirus: Air Travel via Vienna International Airport - Latest Update

Total and gradual restriction of air traffic to countries and territories severely affected by coronavirus is currently being implemented. On this website, Vindobona.org provides information on questions and answers regarding the current status at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat) and the international airlines operating from there, as the relevant websites often contain hardly any updated information on the recently enforced flight bans and flight connection suspensions of individual airlines.

March 8, 2020

COVID-19: Travel Between Iran and Austria Declines Sharply

Iran Air has suspended all flights to Vienna. Additionally Austrian Airlines has suspended its flights to Tehran and the Austrian Foreign Ministry has issued a security level 6 travel warning and recommends leaving the country as soon as possible.

March 8, 2020

Air Travel to Austria: Further Flights Stopped Due to COVID-19 Spread

To contain the coronavirus, direct flights from Austria to Iran, South Korea and the northern Italian airports of Bologna and Milan will be discontinued in the next two weeks. Passengers from third countries require a medical certificate. This was announced by the Federal Government during a press conference broadcast nationwide. Details as follows.

March 7, 2020

Israel Issues Entry Ban for Austrians

Out of concern about the spread of the coronavirus, Israel is extending the tightened entry requirements to Austria as well as Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Switzerland. The prohibition includes the holding international conferences in Israel.

March 4, 2020 · Updated: March 5, 2020; 22:09

Travel between Austria and Italy: Security Levels 3 to 5

Due to the current situation of the increasing number of confirmed cases of infection with the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Foreign Ministry advises against unnecessary travel to Lombardy. However, air and rail traffic are also affected as follows.

March 3, 2020 · Updated: March 4, 2020; 17:12

Austrian Airlines Cancels Further Flights to Italy, China and Iran Still Suspended

Due to falling demand for flights to Italy as a result of the corona crisis, Austrian Airlines is cancelling 40 percent of its flights to Italy in March and April. Flights to Tehran (Iran) will continue to be suspended until 30 April 2020 and flights to Beijing and Shanghai (China) until 24 April 2020.

March 3, 2020

EC Renews Talks with North Macedonia and Albania

The process of rapprochement between the two Western Balkan countries and the EU European Union, supported by Austria, now seems to be gaining momentum again after the EU Commission today reiterated its recommendation to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.

March 2, 2020

Corona-Crisis: Greatest Danger since the Financial Crisis

The OECD is sounding the alarm about the coronavirus and warned of the possibility that global economic growth could be halved this year.

March 2, 2020

Austria - China Travel Warning: High Security Risk

The Austrian Foreign Ministry has raised its travel warning level for Mainland China to "security level 4", in other words "high security risk". Austrian Airlines offers rebooking and refunding options.

February 29, 2020

What Vienna Can Learn from Wuhan

The Chinese authorities learned from the SARS crisis of 2003-2004 and acted quickly and decisively to contain the threat of the new COVID-19 virus to public health. The rapidly increasing number of cases of infection has put enormous strain on the local health system. An unprecedented rescue mission of a population six times the size of Vienna and a nationwide campaign against the epidemic began. Since the end of February, the number of confirmed new cases in Wuhan has been declining.

February 29, 2020

COVID-19: Meeting between Donald Trump and Chancellor Kurz postponed

The Austrian Federal Chancellery has confirmed, that the follow-up meeting between Sebastian Kurz and Donald Trump has been postponed.

February 29, 2020

Austria Supports Start of Accession Negotiations with North Macedonia

Karoline Edtstadler calls for a speedy start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and assures Austria's full support.

February 28, 2020

Portrait: New Permanent Representative of Poland H.E. Dr. Dominika Krois Presents Credentials

Recently, Ms. Dominika Krois became the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the United Nations Office and the International Organisations in Vienna.

February 28, 2020

COVID-19: Risk Assessment on Travel and Visits to Austria

The coronavirus outbreak has now reached Austria and the disease is spreading further. What is the risk of infection when travelling in and to Austria?

February 28, 2020

No More Direct Flights Between Beijing and Vienna

Because of the coronavirus crisis, Air China has now also temporarily suspended all flights between Beijing and Vienna. AUA Austrian Airlines already suspended all flights to China on 6 February 2020 - provisionally until the end of the winter flight schedule.

February 26, 2020

Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Turkey, Kosovo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Chad and Equatorial Guinea

Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of the Republic of Kosovo, the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Chad, the Republic of Guinea and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.

February 26, 2020

Portrait: Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Zenebe Kebede Korcho

The new Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Zenebe Kebede Korcho presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

February 26, 2020

Portrait: Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to Austria, H.E. Mr. Mamadou Siradiou Diallo

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea (République de Guinée) to Austria, H.E. Mr. Mamadou Siradiou Diallo presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

February 26, 2020

Portrait: Ambassador of the Republic of Chad to Austria, H.E. Mrs. Mariam Ali Moussa

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Chad to Austria, H.E. Mrs. Mariam Ali Moussa presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

February 26, 2020

Portrait: Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to Austria, H.E. Mr. Pantaleón Mayiboro Miko Nchama

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to Austria, H.E. Mr. Pantaleón Mayiboro Miko Nchama presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

February 26, 2020

Portrait: Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Austria, H.E. Mr. Ozan Ceyhun

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Austria, H.E. Mr. Ozan Ceyhun presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

February 26, 2020

Portrait: Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Austria, H.E. Mr. Lulzim Pllana

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Austria, H.E. Mr. Lulzim Pllana presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

February 26, 2020

Suspicion of Coronavirus: Holidaymaker in Austria Died

In the Austrian province of Carinthia a 56-year-old Italian holidaymaker from Friuli died in the night to Wednesday. The Carinthian authorities have reported that she is suspected of being infected with the coronavirus. A curfew has been imposed on the woman's apartment complex. On Wednesday afternoon it became known, that the suspected coronavirus case in Bad Kleinkirchheim in Carinthia has not been confirmed. The woman did not die of coronavirus.

February 26, 2020 · Updated: February 26, 2020; 15:08

Austrian Chancellor Kurz at 10 Downing Street

Chancellor Kurz met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London today. The discussion with Johnson focused on London's future relations with the European Union.

February 25, 2020

Austria Reports Its First Two Coronavirus Cases as Outbreak Widens

In the Austrian province of Tyrol, two people have been proven to be infected with the coronavirus. A second test was also positive. These are the first two confirmed cases in Austria. The infected persons are two 24-year-old Italians from Lombardy who live in the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck.

February 25, 2020 · Updated: February 25, 2020; 14:25

Coronavirus: Emergency Meeting of Central European Health Ministers in Rome

At the invitation of the Italian Government, the Health Ministers of Austria, Italy, Slovenia, France, Switzerland and Germany are meeting today.

February 25, 2020

Austria is Arming itself against the Coronavirus

The Austrian Federal Government today presented a package of measures against "all" upcoming scenarios, with the aim of ensuring transparency, information and protection for the population. The next 2 to 3 weeks will be decisive in determining how the coronavirus situation develops.

February 24, 2020