Newsletter: The Coronavirus Has Arrived in Vienna

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.

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.

Coronavirus in Austria: Live-Ticker (Our live coverage has now concluded)

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.

Iran Nuclear Agreement: Rouhani and Zarif Met Schallenberg

Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg met with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani in Iran to mediate in the nuclear dispute. Rouhani himself has compared the US sanctions against Iran with the corona virus, saying that fear of it is greater than reality.

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.

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.

Vienna International Centre: First Suspected Case of COVID-19

The first suspected case of coronavirus infection was reported today from the Vienna International Centre. More than 5,000 employees from more than 125 countries are working in the VIC, also known locally as "UNO City". The UN family in Vienna consists of about 36 international organizations. Wednesday at 4:54 p.m. the all-clear was given. The patient tested negative for the virus.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Business with China Slumps: Chamber of Commerce Sets Up Coronavirus Hotline

Because of the coronavirus crisis, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) is now also reacting and setting up an auxiliary hotline for the approximately 1,000 affected companies in the Austrian-Chinese trade.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?