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Vienna International Guide - Austrian Lifestyle, Travel, Arts, Culture
Get updated news about developments in Vienna's inter-cultural environment: lifestyle, travel destinations, art exhibitions, restaurant- & event-suggestions
Austria is Concerned, but Federal President Remains Silent
In Austria - as in the rest of the world - there is also the danger of a coronavirus pandemic, but Federal President Van der Bellen, who ran the election campaign with a ticket from the Green Party, and who comments on the climate crisis almost weekly, remains silent, instead of informing the population and calling on them to take preventive measures. (Updated on March 13, 2020. See below.)
February 29, 2020 · Updated: March 13, 2020; 20:30
State of Emergency in Austria: Federal Government Appeals to Population
The Federal Government informed about further necessary steps and the current situation regarding coronavirus. From Monday, March 16, 2020, social life will be reduced to a minimum. Air and train traffic to Switzerland, Spain and France will be suspended. Many shops will be closed, with the exception of those necessary for basic services. Public transport will be maintained. With a few exceptions, cafés, restaurants and bars will only be open until 3 p.m. from Monday onwards. Visitors are prohibited in all hospitals.
March 13, 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
Coronavirus: Profit Warning Issued by Vienna International Airport - Reduced Working Time Planned
Travel restrictions and the resulting massive reduction in the number of scheduled flights at Vienna International Airport severely depress revenues and annual results for 2020.
March 12, 2020
Vienna International Airport: What Arriving Passengers Should Know
Numerous measures and precautions are currently in place or under implementation at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat) in connection with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For updated details and Viennese specifics see below.
March 12, 2020
Austria Reports First Death from COVID-19
The first death in Austria due to the coronavirus was reported from Vienna today. A 69-year-old man died last night in the Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital.
March 12, 2020
COVID-19: Carinthia Seals Itself Off from Italy
Border controls and border health checks at Austria's southernmost border crossings. Carinthia sees itself as a "protective shield" against Italy.
March 11, 2020
Vienna International Airport: What Departing Passengers Should Know
If you want to leave Vienna by plane, you must of course arrive in time at Vienna International Airport, called Flughafen Wien-Schwechat by locals. This is followed by check-in and possibly baggage check-in, boarding pass control, security control and possibly passport control. For details and Vienna differences see below.
March 11, 2020
Vienna International Centre Adopts Security Measures against the Coronavirus
In order to ensure the security of the approximately 5000 international diplomats, scientists and support staff working at the VIC, the heads of the 4 largest organizations UN in Vienna/UNODC, IAEA, UNIDO and CTBTO PrepCom have today decided on a number of the following measures.
March 11, 2020
Slump in Passenger Numbers at Vienna International Airport
While Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) recorded an increase of 8.3% in the number of passengers to 2 million in February, the coronavirus crisis led to a decline of roughly 30% in the number of passengers in March 2020, and this trend is expected to continue.
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
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
Rebookings: Austrian Airlines Responds to Customers' Needs
Since the number of cancellations and rebookings has risen sharply as a result of the coronavirus crisis, AUA Austrian Airlines is forced to be flexible in accommodating existing customers when rebooking. In the case of higher ticket prices, however, the differences must be borne by the customer himself.
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
Austrian Airlines Cancels All Flights to Tel Aviv
Due to the new entry restrictions imposed by the Israeli government, Austrian Airlines is forced to discontinue its flight connection to Tel Aviv as of today, Sunday, 8 March 2020. An adapted flight programme will continue to take passengers from Israel back to Austria and other countries.
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
Austrian Airlines Confirms Flight Irregularities Due to Coronavirus
The airline is aware of the danger and spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the fact that this is causing concern to passengers, but at the same time reaffirms that the safety of passengers and staff is always the company's top priority.
March 5, 2020
Coronavirus: Austrian Airlines Is Forced to Cut 20% of the Entire European Flight Schedule
The airline is cancelling 20 percent of the flights in the "entire continental network" during the month of March, i.e. the entire route network within Europe. Twelve short- and medium-haul aircraft will remain on the ground altogether.
March 5, 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
Town Charter of Vindobona Discovered
A sensational accidental discovery in the form of a small piece of bronze with 41 letters confirms that Roman Vienna was granted a town charter about 1800 years ago. Therewith, this oldest municipal law of Vienna is approximately 1.000 years older than the previously known municipal law of the Middle Ages.
March 5, 2020
Can the Coronavirus be Transmitted through Food and Toys?
After the occurrence of infections in Austria due to the respiratory disease COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the question repeatedly arises whether the virus can also be transmitted through food and toys?
March 4, 2020
Law Firm Wolf Theiss: Update on the Corona Virus Tests
The complete results of Wolf Theiss' corona virus testing of the employees in Vienna are now available: 3 employees positive, 293 employees negative.
March 4, 2020
Coronavirus: Vienna Law Firm Tests Three Employees Positive
The renowned law firm Wolf Theiss announces that three of more than 280 examined employees have become infected with the coronavirus.
March 3, 2020 · Updated: March 4, 2020; 19:10
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
Red Cross Austria on Corona: Situation is Stable
The Austrian Red Cross has already carried out more than 500 infection transports and 800 coronavirus sample collections.
March 4, 2020
Coronavirus: Austria's "Containment Strategy"
The latest developments concerning the coronavirus were the dominant topic of today's debate in the Health Committee of the Austrian Parliament.
March 3, 2020
Vienna Airport - Good Results 2019, but Coronavirus is Uncertainty Factor
Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien) is pleased to report an increase of +7.2% in revenues and +15.7% in net profit, but the strong growth in the number of passengers during the past year has now been countered by a major uncertainty factor with the corona virus crisis.
March 3, 2020
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
Corona Virus: City of Vienna Established Tourist Care Centre
In the case of positively tested patients who do not have the possibility of a suitable home quarantine in the Vienna area (e.g. tourists, trade fair and conference visitors), 58 care places are now available for them.
March 2, 2020
What Does the Austrian Government Propose Against the Virus?
The Federal Chancellery is now addressing the public with information and advice on prevention against the coronavirus.
March 2, 2020
American International School in Vienna Strengthens Security Measures
After the announcement of quarantine measures at VIS - Vienna International School, the situation at the AIS - American International School Vienna is also tense and the school management has modified its position on COVID-19. Currently there are no suspected cases at AIS Vienna.
March 2, 2020
Corona Virus: Public Information Campaign Receives Good Response
So far there have been 2,120 tests in Austria, 16 of which have been positive. In addition, there are 350 isolation cases which are in quarantine.
March 2, 2020
Coronavirus Alert at the Vienna International School
The VIS Vienna International School, an English-speaking private school mainly for children of United Nations employees and diplomats, which is organised as a non-profit organisation, will remain closed due to the corona virus. 17 VIS staff members have been placed in house quarantine for a period of 14 days.
March 1, 2020
Emergency Medical Services in Vienna: 2000 Calls per Day
Now operating around the clock (24/7), the Physician Home Call Service Vienna (Ärztefunkdienst), which is equipped for suspected corona virus cases, has recorded a five-to-seven-fold increase in the frequency of calls.
March 1, 2020
COVID-19: While some Cities are Taking Drastic Measures, Vienna is Watching
The WHO strongly urges that the containment of the virus be recognized as the most important means of control and that appropriate measures be taken. However, the City of Vienna decides not to take containment measures at events, because the situation "does not justify official measures".
March 1, 2020
Four New Cases of COVID-19-Infection Confirmed in Vienna
The task force of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior of the Federal Ministry of the Interior has confirmed 4 new cases of Coronavirus-infection in Vienna. From 1,826 tests in Austria, 14 of them proved positive.
March 1, 2020 · Updated: March 1, 2020; 13:07
Because of Coronavirus Fear: First Hoarding Purchases in Austria
Politicians warn against overreaction, but more and more people are making big purchases to be on the safe side. Durable products such as noodles, rice, instant soups and beans are in particularly high demand. Respirators are already sold out.
February 29, 2020
Vienna Airport - Risk of Delays
There is currently a risk of major delays at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien), especially when passengers have to be checked by the health authorities for possible coronavirus suspicion.
February 29, 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
Austrian Coronavirus Summit: Population to Participate in Containment
In a meeting of Federal Chancellor Kurz, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober and Interior Minister Karl Nehammer with the state governors in the Federal Chancellery, agreement was reached on uniform nationwide guidelines for dealing with the coronavirus. The Chancellor appealed to the population to actively participate in the containment of the virus.
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
Coronavirus: City of Vienna Sets Up Mobile 24/7 First Aid
The Vienna authorities have presented an emergency plan for Vienna in dealing with the corona virus. From now on, the medical radio service (Ärztefunkdienst) will be on duty 24 hours a day. The doctors will take over the initial diagnosis and initial care at home.
February 28, 2020
COVID-19 in Vienna: What to do in Case of Suspected Infection?
If you suspect that you are infected with the coronavirus, you should not go directly to a surgery or outpatient clinic. If an infection is suspected, those affected should clarify the further procedure via the Austrian health number 1450.
February 27, 2020
Current Status of Developments in Austria: Strategy to Separate from the Virus
The coronavirus was a topic of discussion in the National Council today. The aim of all measures is to contain the virus and prevent its spread. Health and Interior Ministers strongly opposed scare-mongering and called for joint efforts to meet the challenge.
February 27, 2020
Coronavirus-Infected Person has been in Hospital for Several Days
The 72-year-old who tested positive for the coronavirus today has already been in hospital for ten days. This was announced by the Health City Councillor at a press conference early this afternoon. In another case, he said, there is a very high suspicion of infection.
February 27, 2020
Coronavirus: First Confirmed Case in Vienna
In Vienna there is a first confirmed case of infection with the novel coronavirus. The victim is a 72-year-old man. At noon it became known that the patient who tested positive today has already been in hospital for ten days. For safety reasons, three departments in the hospital have been closed. In another case there was a very high suspicion of infection.
February 27, 2020 · Updated: February 27, 2020; 14:45