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Significantly More Deaths in Austria in 2020

Due to Covid-19, deaths in Austria in the year 2020 have increased by almost 11 percent compared to 2019. Furthermore, life expectancy has decreased by about half a year for men and women in 2020. In weekly comparisons, an increase in deaths of almost 50 percent compared to the same weeks in 2019 had been observed.

January 14, 2021

Vienna International Centre - Live-Ticker Coronavirus Situation: Several New Positive COVID-19 Cases, 201 Cases in Total

On January 13, 2021, the Vienna International Centre (VIC, UNO-City) reported new positive COVID-19 cases. The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 201. Below you can see all messages to all staff working in the four main Vienna-based United Nations organizations (United Nations Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN Industrial Development Organization and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization), as announced by UNIS.

June 25, 2020 · Updated: January 14, 2021; 12:30

Third Lockdown Starts on December 26

The Austrian government has announced a third lockdown, starting on December 26 and lasting until at least January 18. Similar to the shutdowns before, all-day curfew will apply, stores and gastronomy will be closed, body-related services will not be open and distance learning will be implemented in the schools.

December 18, 2020

Austria Launches CoV Mass Testing: Vienna Tests at 3 Locations until December 13 - How does it work?

From today, December 4 to December 13, comprehensive corona mass tests will take place in Vienna. The free quick test can be taken at 3 locations. Anyway, the mass tests are generating great interest.

December 4, 2020

Update: Lockdown in Austria - What applies from Monday 7 December?

Starting next Monday, the all-day exit restriction will be relaxed and rescheduled back to 8pm to 6am. Shops, all services providers and museums are allowed to open again. Kindergartens and compulsory schools will resume regular classes. Restaurants will remain closed. Delivery services, with the exception of the delivery or "pick-up" of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited. Cross-border arrivals from an area categorized as a risk area must be quarantined for ten days, after five days a PCR test may be performed. Outdoor sports, including skiing, will be allowed from 24 December. Restaurants, hotels and cultural institutions will not be allowed to reopen until 7 January.

December 2, 2020

COVID-19 Mass Testing in Austria: All Details

The 50 million Euro project of Austria's +240,000 mass tests will start after the lockdown on December 5. The mass tests will be started with the teachers, followed by the police officers and then the population, the government announced.

November 20, 2020

The Vienna Service Office - The Embassy of the City of Vienna inside the Vienna International Centre

The Vienna International Centre hosts a branch office of the City of Vienna, whose sole purpose is to offer the staff of the UN organizations and their relatives rapid and individual assistance with questions of daily life and to provide them with urgently needed information.

November 19, 2020

Over 100 COVID Deaths in Austria within 24 Hours for the First Time

For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been more than 100 deaths within one day in Austria. With almost 7100 new infections, the infection level remains too high. Meanwhile, the number of patients in hospitals continues to rise. 4,592 patients are hospitalized, 682 of them in intensive care. The total number of fatalities has risen to 2054. To date, 221,688 cases have been diagnosed, of which 2,054 have died and 142,738 have recovered.

November 18, 2020

Austria's Second Hard Lockdown: So what applies now? - Live Updates

The new COVID-19- emergency measure regulation brings beyond the already existing measures intensified exit regulations and an extensive closing of business. The retail stores for basic supplies (food, pharmacies, post office, banks, etc.) will remain open. The Ordinance came into force on 17 November 2020 and is valid up to and including 6 December 2020.

November 16, 2020

Austria's Hard Lockdown: So what applies now?

The details of new COVID-19 measures were announced today. For the next two and a half weeks up to and including December 6, Austria will have a second respectively third full lockdown as in spring. What will now apply with regard to curfews, contacts, shopping, hospitals and health services, sports, professional activities, body related services, education, schools and kindergartens?

November 14, 2020 · Updated: November 14, 2020; 17:25

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Chinese Embassy in Vienna

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Austria is located at Metternichgasse 4 in the 3rd district of Vienna, near the Belvedere Palace. The building in which the Embassy is located is also known as Palais Bratmann-Thorsch and was formerly the residence of Austrian-Jewish industrialists and bankers.

November 11, 2020

Vienna Is the Sixth Largest City in the European Union

After London pulled out and Bucharest moved up, Vienna has consolidated itself in sixth place among the largest cities in the European Union. But who is the new European leader, and who are the other cities ahead of Vienna in the ranking? What are the reasons why living in Vienna is so popular with other Austrians, expats, migrants and refugees?

November 9, 2020

Vienna Islamist Terror Attack: Live Updates

The attack by an Islamist terrorist began on Monday evening in downtown Vienna directly in front of a synagogue. Five people died, including the suspect. The dead suspect, a 20-year-old man with Albanian roots and parents from North Macedonia, was a sympathizer of the terrorist militia Islamic State and possessed both, the Austrian and the North Macedonian citizenship. Twenty-two people were injured, some in critical condition. Three days of state mourning was decided. The investigations are running at full speed. However, it is now assumed that there was only one suspect.

November 2, 2020 · Updated: November 6, 2020; 12:10

Raids on Islamists in Germany after the Vienna Terrorist Attack

The assassin was apparently not only well-connected to Switzerland, but also had connections to Germany. In the meantime, the German police have carried out raids on several residential and commercial premises of suspected Islamists.

November 6, 2020

Second Coronavirus Lockdown: Which Rules Apply for your Business in Austria?

The exponential increase of the Austrian COVID-19 infection numbers has made drastic measures necessary. On November 3, 2020, the new COVID-19 Protection Measures Ordinance will come into force and remain in force until at least November 30, 2020. In order to cushion the economic impact, short-time working will be upgraded and loss of sales compensated. The new rules and economic measures for the gastronomy, tour operator, tourism and leisure industry can be found below.

November 2, 2020 · Updated: November 6, 2020; 10:13

COVID-19 Hinders the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the implementation and achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the same time the pandemic serves as a strong wake-up call for the international community to build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future as summarised under the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

November 5, 2020

Danger of Terrorism: Slovakian Warned Austrian Authorities

According to an Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) report, the assassin from Vienna, Kurtin S., had tried to buy ammunition in Slovakia in the summer.

November 4, 2020

United Nations Join Host City Vienna in Mourning for the Victims of the Terror Attack

In a message from Ms. Ghada Waly to Vienna, the staff of the VIC - Vienna International Centre and the world, the Director-General, UN Office at Vienna, declares that she rejects violence and hatred, stands in solidarity with Vienna and that the flags at the Vienna International Centre will be lowered during Austria's mourning period.

November 3, 2020

Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Terror Attack in Vienna

From the Ministry of the Interior it became known that the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) claimed the attack in Vienna with four dead and 22 partially severely injured.

November 3, 2020

Terror Attack in Vienna: No Indication of Second Assassin According to Interior Minister

Following the terrorist attack in Vienna, which left five dead and 22 injured, the analysis of almost 20,000 indications has so far revealed no evidence of further assassins. However, neither the Chancellor nor the Minister of the Interior wanted to definitively rule out that there might not be a second fugitive suspect after all.

November 3, 2020

United Arab Emirates Strongly Condemns Terror Attack in Vienna

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Vienna is deeply moved by the Islamic motivated attack in Vienna and condemns the terrorist attack in a statement.

November 3, 2020

Terror Attack in Austria: Three Days of State Mourning Decided - Laying of a Wreath in Remembrance

In its special session following the terrorist attack in Vienna, the government decided on a three-day national mourning. With the state mourning, flags on federal buildings will be set at half-mast and the provincial governors will be called upon to arrange for this in their areas as well.

November 3, 2020

Terror Attack in Vienna - Perpetrator Was Sympathizer of the Islamic State

One of the assassins was an Islamic State (IS) sympathizer, further investigations are underway in the suspect's environment. Around 1,000 law enforcement officers are deployed. At least one perpetrator is still fugitive and is classified as very dangerous. Minister Nehammer added in a press conference, that caution was still required and that one should stay at home if possible.

November 3, 2020

Terrorist Attack in Vienna: Several Dead and Injured according to Vienna Rescue Service

According to the Vienna Rescue Service (Berufsrettung Wien), several people were killed and injured in the shootout near the Vienna Main Synagogue.

November 2, 2020

Austrian Corona Measures Explained in 17 Languages

Integration Minister: "We must ensure that all people living in Austria are aware of the new regulations".

November 2, 2020

What Is the Role of Aerosols in the Transmission of SARS-CoV-2?

According to current knowledge, the Coronavirus is transmitted by direct contact, e.g. by speaking, coughing or sneezing. Both droplets and aerosols (very fine airborne liquid particles and droplet nuclei), which can float in the air for a long time, play a role in transmission, although the transition between the two forms is fluid. Which measures can reduce exposure to aerosols?

November 2, 2020

Getting COVID-19 Infection in Austria: What Should Expats Do If Symptoms Occur?

Foreigners in Austria who feel flu-like symptoms or who have had or may have had contact with someone infected with the coronavirus may themselves have been infected with the novel virus SARS-CoV-2. What should expatriates, tourists and other foreigners in Austria do if they suspect that they have been infected with the virus themselves?

November 2, 2020

Second Coronavirus Lockdown in Austria: Which Rules Apply?

The Austrian government has announced the Second Coronavirus Lowdown and presented stricter measures against the virus, which will apply from Tuesday, November 3 starting at 0:00 am. From then on, night-time exit restrictions will apply in Austria between 20.00 and 6.00 hours. Most events will be cancelled, restaurants will no longer be allowed to serve guests, and most leisure facilities will have to close for a month for the time being.

October 31, 2020 · Updated: November 2, 2020; 09:29

Prostitution in Austria Prohibited Again: Here Are the New COVID-19 Rules

Prostitution in Austria is basically legal and regulated by law. Due to the coronary crisis, it was temporarily forbidden for clients to enter prostitution facilities until the end of June. Since July 1, 2020, however, the government has again permitted entry to prostitution bars, brothels and running houses in Austria. Following the updated COVID-19 rules for sex workers and their clients. However, due to November's new COVID-19 Protection Measures Ordinance, which came into force on November 3, 2020 and will remain in force until at least November 30, 2020, all facilities for the practice of prostitution will again be closed as of November 3.

July 11, 2020 · Updated: November 2, 2020; 07:55

How Long Will the Second Lockdown Last?

If the tightened corona measures take effect and the population participates, the Austrian federal government expects that "first opening steps" can be taken in December "to return to a halfway normal life". Is further tightening of the measures an option?

October 31, 2020

What Does the Second Lockdown Mean for Sports Activities in Austria?

While professional sport is allowed to continue, albeit without spectators, amateur sport will stand still. While it will continue to be possible to run or play tennis outdoors, any form of indoor training will be prohibited. The only exceptions are for top athletes. Outdoor sports facilities may still be used by amateur athletes, but only if there is no physical contact with others.

October 31, 2020

Second Lockdown: Warning of Medical Bottlenecks

The reason for the second Austrian lockdown is the explosive growth in coronavirus numbers and the danger of overloading intensive care. What is the situation in hospitals and nursing homes?

October 31, 2020

Art Enjoyment at the "Fair for Art Vienna 2020"

Austria's largest art and antiques fair sets an example for the Vienna art market even in times of Corona. During these times, the fair's focus on the Austrian art trade certainly proves to be an organizational advantage. Nevertheless, one or the other international new discovery of recent years stands out, such as the Chongqing-Chinese Li Hua, who, coming from classical Chinese calligraphy, is increasingly moving towards more expressive and colorful compositions.

October 11, 2020 · Sponsored Content

Game-changing Transformations, Following the Response to COVID-19

A side event sponsored by IIASA and ISC as part of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), attended among others by H.E. Ban Ki-moon and former President of Ireland H.E. Mary Robinson, addressed the game-changing measures that will help build a more resilient world and summarized key policy insights on how to move forward sustainably.

September 29, 2020

Austrian Armed Forces Will Control Embassies

The Austrian Armed Forces will once again assist the Vienna State Police with the protection and surveillance of embassies. This will allow the executive forces to intensify their operations against Covid-19, while the Armed Forces will take over embassy protection.

September 23, 2020

Blow Against Austrian Tourism: Germany Declares Vienna a Corona Risk Area

Because of too high corona infection figures, the German government now warns against "unnecessary, touristic" trips to Vienna. Vienna is classified as a risk area in view of the high number of new corona infections.

September 16, 2020

Arnold Schwarzenegger and the "Climate Kirtag"

After the Austrian World Summit and the Climate Kirtag had to be postponed in spring due to the Corona pandemic, they are now entering the second round. No tickets are available this year. You need to register online to join the events virtually for free.

September 8, 2020

UN Office for Outer Space Affairs: The Space4Youth Competition Winners Are...

Around 400 young people from 70 countries participated in the second Space4Youth Competition, whose winners have now been announced by UNOOSA and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC).

September 8, 2020

Worry Time - Why Fears Need to Be on Your Schedule

In our society, bad mood is equated with bad behavior - and that's a good thing. Positive thinking is considered as a panacea. Whether advice literature, seminars or self-appointed YouTube gurus, the message is often only one: put on your rose-coloured spectacles and learn your positive beliefs, then everything will be fine and all your wishes will come true.

Birgit Adelsberger · September 8, 2020

Sorgenzeit-Warum Ängste in Ihrem Terminkalender Platz finden müssen

Schlechte Laune wird in unserer Gesellschaft mit schlechtem Benehmen gleichgesetzt- und das ist gut so. Positives Denken wird als Allheilmittel angepriesen. Ob Ratgeber-Literatur, Seminare oder selbsternannte Youtube-Gurus, die Botschaft ist oft nur eine: setz die rosa Brille auf und lern brav deine positiven Glaubenssätze, dann wird alles gut und alle deine Wünsche gehen in Erfüllung.

Birgit Adelsberger · September 7, 2020

Celebrating Joy - Happiness in Austria Despite Corona and Economic Crisis

The spectre of a second lockdown hangs over all our heads, despite (or perhaps because of...?) the appeasing words from politics, which promise us a normal summer vacation next year.

Birgit Adelsberger · September 1, 2020

Die Freude zelebrieren - Glücklichsein in Österreich trotz Corona und Wirtschaftskrise

Das Schreckgespenst eines zweiten Lockdowns schwebt trotz (oder gerade wegen…?) der beschwichtigenden Worte aus der Politik, die uns für nächstes Jahr einen ganz normalen Sommerurlaub in Aussicht stellen, über unser aller Köpfen.

Birgit Adelsberger · September 1, 2020

Austrian Universities Should Use Traffic Light System as Orientation

Minister Faßmann presented a COVID-19 orientated traffic light system for universities to provide them with recommendations on how to react on rising Coronavirus cases. It is comparable to the system which will be implemented in schools.

August 20, 2020

"Vienna City Card" for Vienna Lovers

The new feature of the "Vienna City Card" provides locals, expats and tourists with exclusive activity offers and discounts in certain restaurants. It is issued by "Wien Tourismus" and provides the opportunity to get to know the capital city better.

August 17, 2020

Austria Lifts Landing Bans for Airplanes from All 18 Countries that were Previously Banned

The previous landing bans for aircraft from 18 countries expired on 1 August 2020. From now on, new entry regulations will apply, requiring a mandatory Covid 19 test. There are exceptions for diplomats and some other groups.

August 1, 2020

The 2020 Vienna Election: 230,000 Non-Austrian EU Citizens Are Eligible to Vote

A total of 1,362,795 persons are entitled to vote in the Vienna municipal and district elections on October 11, 2020. This figure includes 229,784 non-Austrian EU citizens who are eligible to vote and may participate in the district representative elections.

July 27, 2020

Austria Reintroduces Comprehensive Masks Obligation

In Austria, the obligation to wear masks to contain coronavirus is again in force in a comprehensive form. Since Friday, nose-mouth protection must again be worn throughout the food trade, in post offices and bank branches, in bakeries, in shops in petrol stations, as well as on public transport, in pharmacies and when visiting health care facilities. The Islamic Religious Community has also tightened rules for mosques.

July 24, 2020

Coronavirus in Austria: Update

The coronavirus pandemic has also hit Austria, and deaths and infections caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still 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 610,797 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.

July 20, 2020

Coronavirus Worldwide Update

Worldwide deaths has exceed 610,000, according to data collected by the ECDC Centre in Sweden. More than 14.7 million people have been infected, while some 8.6 million have recovered. According to the WHO World Health Organisation, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is still the USA, where there are already more than 140,000 deaths. The number of infected and dead continues to rise sharply in most countries. Following is the situation update as of July 22, 2020.

July 20, 2020

Coronavirus in Vienna: Update - July 20, 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has also hit the metropolis of Vienna hard and the number of infected cases and unfortunately also deaths is constantly increasing. It must also be assumed that an unknown number of people who do not suspect this has already been infected. Medical science does not yet know the virus exactly. What is known so far is that in 80 percent of the cases the infection is mild. The mortality rate is currently three per cent, compared with just under one per cent for influenza. What is the Vienna Pandemic Plan? What is the situation in Vienna and what can be done individually? Questions and answers on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) below.

July 20, 2020