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COVID-19
Turnover Compensation For Impacted Companies
The Austrian Ministry of Finance has issued another instrument to offset negative consequences of the second lockdown for the economy. Impacted businesses will be compensated for 80 percent of their turnover with an allegedly unbureaucratic and fast process that should help companies as uncomplicated as possible.
November 6, 2020
EU Increases Funding for Austrian-Lead Covid-19 Research Projects
Through the Horizon 2020 research program, the EU has increased its funding for 23 Covid-19 related research projects. Two of the funded projects are lead by Austrian companies and four more rely on important Austrian partners to further their research efforts.
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
Macron Was to Visit Austria, Now Only Virtual Meeting With Kurz
The French President Macron had planned to travel to Austria to meet with Sebastian Kurz. However, due to the Covid-19 measures in place, the two politicians will only meet virtually. After the recent terror attack in Vienna as well as in Nice, the topic of discussion will be the fight against Islamist terrorism. A common European approach is demanded and will also be discussed during the working meeting.
November 4, 2020
Day Against Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists: Schallenberg Commits to Safety
On the occasion of the International Day against Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Foreign Minister Schallenberg calls for more decisive action by the international community. He demands an increase in effort by every country to protect journalists around the world.
November 3, 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
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
Kurz: All of Europe in Middle of the Second Wave
At a video conference with all of the heads of state and government of the European Union, Chancellor Kurz and the other country heads discussed Covid-19 measures and a common approach of the EU. Since the second wave has already hit many of the member countries, better coordination than in the spring of this year is demanded by almost every country.
October 30, 2020
Áder Met Van der Bellen
The Hungarian President Áder visited his Austrian counterpart in Vienna to discuss the current fight against Covid-19. Although there would have been many other EU and bilateral topics to discuss, the prevailing matter is the rising infection numbers in Europe and the measures taken by the various governments.
October 30, 2020
Beligum Is Now Warning of Travel to All of Austria
The Belgian Foreign Ministry now warns of travel to all nine federal states of Austria. Carinthia and Styria complete the list of the federal states that are depicted in red, which is the highest Covid-19 warning level. Travellers from these areas need to self-quarantine for at least ten days.
October 29, 2020
Austrian Airlines Goes Into Hibernation
The worsening Covid-19 situation in Europe also affects Austrian Airlines and its success in the upcoming winter months. After a summer which was better than most forecasts had predicted, the current rise of Covid-19 cases means a reduction in demand for flights in the near future.
October 29, 2020
Austrian Railways To Suspend Night Trains Between Germany and Austria
After a rise in Covid-19 cases in Germany, the Austrian Railways (ÖBB) have announced the suspension of nightly train traffic between Germany and Austria for one month starting November 8, 2020. As of today, other daytime services will not be affected and will operate as usual.
October 28, 2020
European Economic and Social Committee: Austrian Christa Schweng is New Head
The Austrian politician Christ Schweng is the new head of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). She is only the fifth woman to head the EU institution and will be in this position for the two and a half years. Her main goals for this period include to "make a decisive contribution to Europe's recovery and future resilience" with regard to the current crisis.
October 28, 2020
Spanish Secretary of State for EU Met Edtstadler
The Spanish Secretary of State for the EU González-Barba Pera met European Affairs Minister Edtstadler in Vienna to discuss the fight against Covid-19 and the cooperation on EU-level. Both sides agreed on the importance of a common effort by the European Union to tackle future problems.
October 28, 2020
Italian Interior Minister Met Nehammer
Italian Interior Minister Lamorgese welcomed her Austrian counterpart Nehammer for a working meeting in Rome. The main discussion topics were the fight against organized crime and illegal trafficking as well as strengthening repatriation agreements with third countries.
October 27, 2020
Van der Bellen at Viennale 2020: "We Need the Film"
The 58th Viennale is currently taking place despite Covid-19 and all the regulations that are in place. Federal President Van der Bellen and director of the festival, Eva Sangiorgi, both emphasize the importance of film even though the pandemic has impacted the industry dramatically.
October 23, 2020
Hahn: European Commission Is Entering Top League of Global Financial Markets
With the issuing of social bonds worth EUR 17 billion, the European Commission tries to safeguard jobs and prevent the economy from collapsing in its member countries. Commission President von der Leyen as well as Austrian EU Budget Commissioner Hahn are pleased by this important step.
October 22, 2020
Danger for Winter Tourism: Germany Warns Of Travel to Austria
After Germany had warned against travel to Vienna, Tyrol and Vorarlberg last week, rising Covid-19 infection rates in other parts of Austria have led to an expansion of the travel warnings to almost every federal state of Austria. These warning will be in effect on Saturday with no end in sight.
October 22, 2020
Foreign Disaster Fund Alleviates Covid-19 Consequences Abroad
In order to fight the impact of Covid-19 in developing countries and for people in fragile situations, the Austrian government has decided to release EUR 12 million of the Foreign Disaster Fund to NGOs that will be distributing the money as needed in the particular areas.
October 21, 2020
September: 75 Percent Fewer Overnight Stays in Vienna
Compared to September 2019, Vienna has recorded 75 percent less overnight stays this year. Due to Covid-19 and current travel regulations, the City of Vienna faces a drastic reduction in tourists which can be also observed when looking at the statistical measurements.
October 20, 2020
Austrian Railways: EUR 17.5 Billion of Investment Until 2026
The railway system in Austria will see impactful investments in the near future. Due to a package of around EUR 17.5 billion until 2026, the Federal Government together with Austrian Railways (ÖBB) will try to make travelling and transporting by rail even more attractive to customers.
October 20, 2020
EU Health Agency Classifies Austria as Red
After rising infection rates in Austria, the EU has issued the highest warning stage and switched the traffic light to red. Although there are no binding regulations or recommendations in connection with the traffic light, a decrease in travel is to be expected.
October 19, 2020
Investor Survey: Vienna Among Top 3 Locations for Real Estate Investments
Despite the Covid-19 crisis, Vienna is still one of the most attractive European metropolises for real estate investments. According to a recent survey among investors, London, Berlin and Vienna make up the Top 3 locations in which real estate is highly sought.
October 19, 2020
World Statistics Day 2020: New Economic Monitor Shows Austria's Economic Development
Statistics Austria has introduced a new economic monitor which shows Austria's economic development over time. Data is updated biweekly and will include more than 80 economic indicators across different sectors and industries. In addition to this monitor, Statistics Austria provides a Covid-19 data collection which focuses also on population, health and education.
October 19, 2020
Coronavirus: Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Tested Positive
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has tested positive for the coronavirus. As he attended the Council of EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, there is a suspicion that he was infected there. In the meantime it has also become known via Twitter that one of his contacts, the Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes, has also tested positive.
October 17, 2020
EU Council: Kurz Demands Better Coordination of Restrictions
At the EU Council of the heads of state and government, Chancellor Kurz demands better coordination of travel restrictions, quarantine periods and testing with regard to Covid-19. Other topics on the agenda were the Brexit negotiations, foreign relations, and climate protection.
October 16, 2020
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: Schallenberg Ensures Contribution
On the occasion of World Food Day and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Foreign Minister Schallenberg ensures that the "reduction of poverty is the most important goal of the Austrian Development Agency". This has been underlined with the doubling of the Foreign Disaster Fund.
October 16, 2020
Germany Extends Border Controls to Austria
Germany announced that it will extend the border controls on the German-Austrian border for another six months starting November 12 2020. These controls are in place since the end of 2015 and will not include any new or unexpected measures.
October 15, 2020
Canadian Foreign Minister Visits Austria
The Canadian Foreign Minister Champagne visited Austria to conduct meetings with UN Organizations as well as with Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg. The topics on the agenda were the CETA agreement, the Covid-19 pandemic and current foreign trouble spots.
October 15, 2020
Border Controls with Slovenia and Hungary Will be Extended
The border controls between the Slovenian-Austrian and Hungarian-Austrian border will be extended once again. Austria's Interior Minister Nehammer cited as reasons the "continuing migration pressure, maintenance of internal security and the tense situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic".
October 14, 2020
Winter in Vienna: New Year's Eve Trail Cancelled, Vienna Ice Dream Still On Track
The Covid-19 related cancellations of events were a common theme in the recent months. Now, Vienna's New Year's Eve Trail is the next victim of the pandemic. The popular event will not be held in 2020, while the organizers of the Vienna Ice Dream are still confident to see visitors gliding along the ice tracks.
October 14, 2020
Blümel Presents Budget With EUR 21 Billion Deficit
Austria's Finance Minister Blümel presented the budget draft for 2021 to the National Council. Due to Covid-19, a deficit of over 20% is planned to provide enough aid for the struggling economy and job market in Austria. While the Federal Ministers show signs of relief with regard to the major budget increase, the opposition parties are furious.
October 14, 2020
EU Introduces Covid-19 Traffic Light System to Clarify Travel Situation
The EU member states have agreed on a common system to coordinate travel restrictions with regard to Covid-19. Similar to the current Austrian system, the colors of a traffic light will indicate the risk of the particular areas within the EU borders.
October 13, 2020
EU Foreign Affairs Council: Schallenberg Warns of Second Iron Curtain
At this month's EU Foreign Affairs Council, current foreign issues, such as developments in Belarus, in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the relations with Russia, were on the agenda. Austria was represented by Foreign Minister Schallenberg.
October 12, 2020
Federal Chamber of Commerce: Lockdown Is Unthinkable and Needs To Be Avoided
The heads of the Federal Chamber of Commerce emphasize the importance of avoiding a second lockdown due to rising Covid-19 cases in Austria. They also demand further support measures for the economy and particularly hope that the EU approves the planned fixed cost subsidy.
October 9, 2020
Minister President of Bavaria Meets Kurz: "Borders Need To Stay Open"
Both, the Minister President of Bavaria Markus Söder as well as Austrian Chancellor Kurz, agreed on the fact that the borders between Germany and Austria need to stay open despite an increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases in both countries.
October 9, 2020
Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Met Austrian Counterpart
The Swedish and Austrian Minister for EU Affairs have come together to discuss current EU topics which included migration policy, the joint fight against Covid-19 and recent developments between Great Britain and the EU regarding Brexit.
October 7, 2020
Schramböck: "Every New Infection Is a Potential Danger for the Business Location"
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Schramböck empasizes the importance of low infection rates for the business location. She demands more rigid measures for Vienna, which is currently the Covid-19 hotspot in Austria.
October 5, 2020
European Council Decides on Sanctions Against Belarus
The European Council which was attended by the heads of the 27 member countries decided on sanctions against Belarus as well as a threat of sanctions against Turkey. Chancellor Kurz, Autria's representative at the Council, is satisfied with the two-day long discussions.
October 5, 2020
Approval for EU Membership Remains High Among Austrians
A recent survey conducted by the Austrian Society for European Politics shows that the Covid-19 pandemic had only little or no effect on the approval for EU membership among the Austrian population. 70 percent of a representative sample wants to remain in the European Union.
October 2, 2020
EU Special Summit Deals with Foreign Policy Issues
The EU government heads have come together to discuss foreign policy issues in Brussels. Chancellor Kurz is representing Austria at the meeting and has already met with Council President Michel, EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Borrell and Commission President von der Leyen.
October 1, 2020
European Commission Publishes First Report on Rule of Law
The European Commission has published its first report on the rule of law among member countries. Although the European Union requires high standards, there are still some procedures that need revision in order to assure independency and proper democratic systems. Even Austria has some catching up to do.
October 1, 2020
UNESCO Honors Vienna with "Smart City" Award
The city of Vienna was recognized by UNESCO fo its "innovative, intelligent, networked and explicitly sustainable" housing policy. Besides Vienna, other cities, such as Shenzhen (China), Dakar (Senegal) and Singarpore, have received other awards.
September 30, 2020
Public Deficit Amounts to 9.4%, Public Debt to 82.6% of GDP in First Half Year of 2020
Austria's government has lost its successful path to a lower public deficit due to Covid-19. In the first half year of 2020, the public deficit amounted to 9.4% while public debt rose to 82.6%. The outlook for the second half of 2020 is not much better and an increase of public debt is expected.
September 30, 2020
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