Austria's News in English

Corona: How do I tell my kid, and all those guys who do not want to hear it?

A simple but entertaining video by the City of Vienna, explains to children and adults alike what Corona is all about and clearly explains the measures that are now necessary for developing a sense of responsibility for one's fellow human beings.

March 15, 2020

Austrian Embassies and Consulates Suspend the Issue of Visas

In view of the coronavirus crisis, which has also erupted in Austria, and the related efforts to restrict travel and visits, the Austrian diplomatic missions, i.e. embassies and consulates worldwide, saw themselves forced to suspend the processing of visas.

March 14, 2020

COVID-19 at the VIC - IAEA Director General's Message: "The IAEA continues"

Vienna-based nuclear agancy implements drastic measures following recommendations from Austrian authorities.

March 14, 2020

COVID-19: Further Drastic Measures - Reduction of Social Life to a Minimum

In order to slow down the spread of the virus, it is necessary for the Austrian population to continue to take consistent measures, in particular to reduce social contacts to a minimum in the near future.

March 13, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amadeus Vienna Protects Campus from the Corona Virus

Amadeus International School has established temperature testing to protect students and teachers from COVID-19.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First Suspected Case of Coronavirus in Upper Austria: All-Clear

A suspected case of coronavirus occurred today in the Upper Austrian city of Linz. The all-clear was given in the late afternoon. The tests for COVID-19 were negative.

February 25, 2020 · Updated: February 25, 2020; 17:20

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

Erster Coronavirus-Verdachtsfall in Oberösterreich

In der oberösterreichischen Stadt Linz ist heute der erste österreichische Coronavirus-Verdachtsfall aufgetreten, so das Büro des Bürgermeisters von Linz. Ein 55- jährige Linzer "zeigte nach einer Italien-Reise nach Venedig Symptome, die auf eine Infektion mit dem neuartigen Virus hindeuten könnten".

February 25, 2020

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

Italy-Austria: Coronavirus Emergency Measure Caused Chaos and Panic

A false coronavirus alarm paralysed train traffic between Italy, Austria and Germany. Meanwhile the far right Freedom Party demands that the National Security Council should discuss the situation and that travel to Austria from the affected regions should be restricted.

February 24, 2020 · Updated: February 24, 2020; 11:57

Coronavirus: Temperature Checks Effective Immediately at Vienna Airport

Following a decision by the Austrian health authorities, the body temperature of passengers on direct inbound flights from China are being measured at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) with respect to coronavirus.

February 6, 2020 · Updated: February 24, 2020; 09:31

Coronavirus Alert Level in Austria: "Forced Measures" are Not Excluded

The situation in Italy is being closely monitored, and Austria is well prepared for any eventuality. In Austria there was "no reason to panic". Border controls could be "ramped up" within minutes or within an hour, according to the Minister of the Interior.

February 23, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in Austria: Current Risk Assessment

The opposition demands the highest alert level and border controls for Austria. Minister of the Interior: "Coercive measures not excluded". What is the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for Austria's population and for travellers travelling in and out of Austria?

February 23, 2020

Austria: 1.5 Mio Foreigners out of 8.9 Mio Population

1,487,020 people or 16.7% of the population in Austria are foreign nationals. Read which are the 15 largest foreign nationalities in Austria?

February 20, 2020

Security at the Vienna Opera Ball: 300 Police Officers on Duty

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the security concept and the security measures in and around the Vienna State Opera are impressive. In total, up to 300 police officers are deployed at the Opera Ball. These include two Dutch shepherd dogs which searched the State Opera for explosives and other suspicious objects.

February 20, 2020

Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, Hodler at the Albertina

The Albertina Museum in Vienna dedicates its spring exhibition 2020 to the "Hahnloser Collection", one of the most important Private collections of French modernism. The collection was created between 1905 and 1936 and includes works by Pierre Bonnard, Ferdinand Hodler, Henri Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh and Félix Vallotton.

February 20, 2020

Coronavirus: Infopoint for Affected Companies

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has set up a central contact point in Vienna for companies that have requests in connection with the coronavirus. The "Coronavirus Infopoint" brings together all information from Austria and abroad on this topic.

February 19, 2020

Patrick Zehetmayr Appointed Boss of Erste Group's Commercial Real Estate Activities

The Salzburg native, who has almost 30 years of experience in banking and real estate business with Erste Group, was chosen to lead Erste's commercial real estate coverage and financing.

February 19, 2020

Vienna Opera Ball 2020: The World's Most Famous Ballroom

At the Vienna Opera Ball on February 20, 2020, the Vienna State Opera will be transformed into possibly the most famous ballroom in the world. The so-called "Ball of Balls" is an Austrian society event and creates encounters between artists, politicians, business people and diplomacy.

February 17, 2020

Cyber Attack on the Austrian Foreign Ministry: Update

A targeted attack with the intention of gathering information was launched against the Austrian Foreign Ministry at the beginning of the year. Since then, a large team of experts from the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defence and the Federal Chancellery has been working around the clock to fend off this attack. The immediate attack has been stopped, but the investigation is still ongoing.

February 13, 2020

Counter-Terrorism: Challenges Posed by Foreign Fighters Returning from Conflict Areas

Security conference in Vienna calls on countries to address challenges posed by foreign terrorist fighters in respect of international law.

February 12, 2020

ICONS 2020 - Global Nuclear Security Players Prioritise Their Agenda

The IAEA is currently organizing the third International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts (ICONS 2020) at its headquarters in Vienna. The conference provides a forum for ministers, senior officials, policymakers and nuclear security experts to formulate and exchange views on achievements and experiences, current approaches, future directions and priorities for nuclear security.The previous conference, held three years ago, attracted over 2000 participants, including 47 government ministers, from 139 Member States and 29 intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

February 10, 2020

What Should We Do About Climate Change?

Young scientists from all research disciplines will meet at IST Austria - Institute of Science and Technology in Klosterneuburg to discuss the significant question: "The climate is changing – what can we do?"

February 7, 2020

Austrian Measures against the Novel Coronavirus

At a press conference at Vienna International Airport (Wien-Schwechat) on the coronavirus, Minister of Health Anschober and Minister of the Interior Nehammer provided information on the measures taken by Austria and the airport as follows..

February 7, 2020

UNWG International Festival - Charity Bazaar 2020 at the Austria Center Vienna

Once again this year, 20,000 visitors from all nations are expected at the 52nd Bazaar of the United Nations Womens Guild Vienna (UNWG) at the Austria Center Vienna. With the sale of culinary delicacies, products and handicrafts from over 80 countries, the UNWG collects money for needy children. The proceeds will again be donated to charitable organizations.

February 4, 2020

Russia Commemorates 500 Officers Murdered by Austrians

During a memorial service for the victims of a horrible war crime, ceremonial wreath-laying ceremonies were held in the Mühlviertel district, attended by Russian, Israeli and Austrian representatives. Known under the euphemistic name "Mühlviertler Hasenjagd" (Mühlviertel hare/rabbit hunt), in February 1945 National Socialist units as well as soldiers and civilians hunted and murdered over 500 escaped Soviet prisoners after a major escape from the Mauthausen concentration camp.

February 3, 2020