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Coronavirus
Speaker of Serbian Parliament Meets Sobotka
Serbia's Speaker of Parliament, Ivica Dačić, and Austria's National Council President, Wolfgang Sobotka, met virtually to discuss current issues. The agenda of the meeting comprised the counties' approaches with regard to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the work of parliaments in times of the pandemic and the migration movements in the Western Balkans.
January 28, 2021
Travel Austria-USA: Negative Covid-19 Test Required
The new President of the United States and the responsible departments have renewed the entry ban for European citizens. Thus, effective January 26, 2021, Austrians, Europeans and even U.S. citizens traveling to the USA need to provide a negative Covid-19 test result in order to be allowed to travel to the United States.
January 26, 2021
Investment Subsidy Program Gets Extended
The Austrian government has announced an extension of the investment period for which subsidies will be granted. The high demand for the subsidy shows that many companies are hoping for a quick recovery from the current pandemic, which secures important jobs and strengthens Austria as a business location.
January 25, 2021
Covid-19 Vaccine: Austria Awaits Approval for AstraZeneca
The European Union's third Covid-19 vaccine might be approved very soon. A decision by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected by January 25, 2021. Austria's vaccination plan relies heavily on this third vaccine, although delivery shortages in the first months after approval have already been announced.
January 25, 2021
EU Future Conference: Edtstadler Demands Action
At an an informal video conference of the EU's Ministers for European Affairs, Austria's responsible Minister, Karoline Edtstadler, once again demanded an early start of the EU Future Conference. Although the Covid-19 pandemic might have shown some strengths and weaknesses of the current EU, Edtstadler demands a clear path into the future of the Union.
January 25, 2021
Speaker of Israeli Parliament Met Sobotka
Israel's Speaker of Parliament, Yariv Levin, and Austria's National Council President, Wolfgang Sobotka, met virtually to discuss current issues. The agenda of the meeting comprised the fight against Covid-19 in all its facets, the work of parliaments in times of the pandemic and security issues in the parliamentary operations.
January 22, 2021
Austria Extends Lockdown Until February 7
The Austrian government has announced an extension of the current lockdown until at least February 7, 2021. Due to only a very slow decline in Covid-19 cases and the virus mutations from Great Britain and South Africa, which are more contagious and spread actively through the EU, the lockdown was extended and wearing a FFP2 mask in public transport and stores will be mandatory.
January 22, 2021
Vienna Opens First Covid-19 Vaccination Line
By Monday, January 18, 2021, about 11,000 physicians, paramedics and other people working in the medical sector, will be the first ones to receive the vaccines in the so-called vaccination lines set up by the City of Vienna. All Viennese residents can pre-register for a Covid-19 vaccination starting January 18, 2021.
January 15, 2021
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
Schallenberg Visits Troubled Ethiopia
Due to the recent conflict in Tigray, the Covid-19 pandemic, and natural disasters, Ethiopia faces enormous challenges. Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has travelled to the country in order to hold talks with the Ethiopian President and Foreign Minister and assures monetary aid from the Foreign Disaster Relief Fund.
January 14, 2021
WKO: Vaccination in Austrian Businesses Possible
Austria's companies could be used as part of the vaccination strategy. This is what many major companies and Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce suggest. The readily available infrastructure could provide testing and vaccination facilities for up to 500,000 employees in the various industries.
January 12, 2021
Speaker of Swedish Parliament Met Sobotka
The Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Andreas Norlén met virtually with his Austrian counterpart, National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka. The main topics of the meeting comprised the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, parliamentary security and foreign relation issues.
January 12, 2021
Mandatory Registration for Travel to Austria
Starting on Friday, January 15, 2021, travellers entering Austria will need to be registered in order to pass the border. The quarantine obligation after entry remains in effect. The required form is available on the page of the Foreign Ministry and needs to be presented in the event of an inspection.
January 12, 2021
Additional 6 Million Doses of Covid-19 Vaccine for Austria
Due to the recent order activity of the European Union at BioNTech/Pfizer, Austria will receive an additional 6 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine - 1.5 million already in the second quarter of 2021. In total, the EU has secured itself the right for additional 300 million doses from BioNTech/Pfizer.
January 8, 2021
Austria Introduces Border Controls with Czech Republic and Slovakia
Due to high numbers of Covid-19 infection rates in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Austria's Ministry of Interior has introduced more strict border controls with both countries as of January 9, 2020. Small border crossings will be closed and at all others, every vehicle will be checked when entering Austria.
January 8, 2021
Vienna Prepares for Second Mass Testing
Vienna's residents can have themselves tested once again during the period from January 8 to January 17. The tests will be conducted at the same three locations like during the first mass testing. Although the city prepares capacities for up to 900,000 people, registration for an appointment is required.
January 7, 2021
EMA Approves Second Covid-19 Vaccine: Austria Receives 890,000 Doses
The European Medical Agency (EMA) and the European Commission have approved the second Covid-19 vaccine for EU member states. The vaccine from the producer Moderna will provide Austria with another 890,000 doses in the first half of 2021. Austria's Health Minister expects approval for the vaccine from AstraZeneca by February.
January 7, 2021
WKO: Lockdown Extension a "Blow For Domestic Trade"
Once again the Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) does not entirely support the federal government in its decision to extend the lockdown and cancel the opportunity to escape the lockdown with a negative Covid-19 test. The WKO demands plans for the affected companies and aid for the suppliers indirectly affected by the crisis.
January 5, 2021
Austria's Real Estate: Single-Family Houses Expensive, Offices Cheap
Also as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, living spaces with a garden, a balcony or a terrace see a significant increase in demand, while office spaces and other commercial real estate loses value. Another new aspect of the real estate market in Austria is the rise in demand for single-family houses in the outskirts of bigger cities.
January 5, 2021
Austria's Unemployment Rate at 11 Percent
Crisis-related unemployment, especially due to the lack of a seasonal start in tourism, has a huge impact on the unemployment rate in Austria at the moment. More than 500,000 people are currently seeking for jobs, which is an increase of more than 63,000 compared to the previous. month.
January 5, 2021
Austrian Lockdown Continues Until January 24
The initially planned "free-testing" to escape the lockdown will not be possible. The opposition parties have resisted this intention by the government, which now means an extension of the current lockdown until January 24. Whether or not schools will return to their normal operations on January 18 has not been decided yet.
January 4, 2021
Covid-19 Vaccine: Good Tolerability So Far in Austria
The feedback from the nursing homes and other institutions who have already used the vaccine from BioNTech and Pfizer has shown very good tolerability so far. In addition, the Ministry of Health expects market approval for another Covid-19 vaccine in the next week.
January 4, 2021
Anschober: Covid-19 Measures Help Against Influenza
According to the Ministry of Health, Austria's Covid-19 measures also prevent the spread of influenza viruses. Compared to 2019, only a small fraction of influenza viruses were detected this year. Health Minister Anschober has repeatedly highlighted the importance of keeping both Covid-19 and influenza cases down in order to maintain availability of intensive care units.
December 30, 2020
Austria Supports Montenegro By Providing Care for Covid-19 Patient
After an offer by Foreign Minister Schallenberg at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, Montenegro has made use of Austria's proposal to take over the care Covid-19 patients in need of intensive medical treatment. A 46-year old male patient has been transferred to a hospital in Klagenfurt and will be treated in the intensive care unit.
December 28, 2020
New Year's Concert Will Take Place Without Live Audience
This year's New Year's Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will take place without audience. Due to current Covid-19 measures and the ongoing third lockdown in Austria, the organizers have come up with a solution that will make it possible to at least pay tribute to the orchestra by generating and streaming applause from the listeners at home to the Golden Hall in Vienna.
December 28, 2020
Covid-19 Vaccine: Austria Starts on December 27
The vaccination process against Covid-19 in Austria will start on December 27. As already announced by the President of the European Commission Von der Leyen, the vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer is distributed in the upcoming days, making a vaccination start before 2021 possible.
December 23, 2020
New Lockdown: No Public Church Services After December 27
Also during the upcoming lockdown, Austria's Minister of Cultural Affairs together with representatives of churches and religious communities have agreed to suspend all public church services until January 17. Places of worship will, however, stay open for personal prayers.
December 22, 2020
How to Celebrate Christmas During Covid-19
This year's Christmas festivities are likely to be very different than the ones of previous years. In order to celebrate a save, but nevertheless festive, Christmas this year, the following hints might help.
December 22, 2020
North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Visited Schallenberg
North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Osmani visited Vienna and met his Austrian counterpart Schallenberg to discuss the ongoing EU accession process of his country and the Covid-19 pandemic. Both parties are eager to start negotiations about the accession as soon as possible.
December 21, 2020
EMA Approves Covid-19 Vaccine
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the approval of a Covid-19 vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer. Ultimately, the European Commission granted approval and the first vaccine will be used on December 27. Further Covid-19 vaccinations are awaiting approvals in the upcoming weeks.
December 21, 2020
Portuguese Foreign Minister Met Schallenberg
Portuguese Foreign Minister Santos Silva welcomed his Austrian counterpart Schallenberg for a working meeting in Portugal's capital Lisboa. The two ministers met prior to Portugal's upcoming EU Presidency to discuss the key issues that will be addressed during that time. These include the transatlantic relations as well as relations with the African continent, accession negotiations with Western Balkan countries and the social and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
December 14, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55
Sobotka Supports North Macedonia's Path to EU
Talat Xhaferi, President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, met virtually with his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka to discuss the accession negotiation of North Macedonia with the EU, the terrorist attack in Vienna and the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic in both countries.
December 2, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55
Czech President of the Parliament Met Sobotka
The Czech and Austrian Presidents of the Parliaments, Vondráček and Sobotka, met virtually to discuss the experiences of the pandemic and EU topics, such as the accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, the EU's financial framework and the EU budget negotiations.
December 1, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55
WKO Heads Demand Clear Plan for Path to Normality
The heads of Austria's Federal Economic Chamber demand a clear plan that shows a step-by-step path to normality. They demand regular mass testing, where negative test results are connected to more freedoms. According to them, the lockdown immediately after Christmas will hit many companies particularly hard.
December 18, 2020
Swiss National Council President Aebi Met Sobotka
The Swiss National Council President Andreas Aebi and his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka met virtually for a first exchange. Aebi, who is in office since December 2019, and Sobotka talked about the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, vaccination strategies and the relations between the EU and Switzerland.
December 18, 2020
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
EUR 2.4 Million for Covid-19 Vaccine in Developing Countries
In the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, Austria will be supporting the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in a total of 92 developing countries. Foreign Minister Schallenberg warns that the crisis has underlined the "inequalities and fragilities within the community of states" and therefore demands an international approach regarding Covid-19 vaccination.
December 17, 2020
Von der Leyen Hopes for Joint Start of Covid-19 Vaccinations
EU Commission President Von der Leyen wants a joint and rapid start of Covid-19 vaccinations for all EU member countries. After the likely approval of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), vaccines will be distributed among the member states and vaccination will start immediately.
December 16, 2020
Austria Helps: Covid-19 Accelerates Global Crises
The Austrian government has decided to increase its funding for the Foreign Disaster Fund and the Austrian Development Agency, which are both responding to ongoing crises in the world. In total, the two programs will be able to help people in need with over EUR 175 million in 2021, an increase of almost EUR 40 million compared to 2020.
December 15, 2020
2 Million Participants at First Covid Mass Testing
The first mass testing in Austria is in the books. Over the last two weeks, about two million people have been to one of the many testing facilities in Austria in order to find out about their Covid-19 infection status. Only 4,200 have been tested positive which is only about 0.2 percent of the participants.
December 14, 2020
New European Climate Target: Kurz and Gewessler Delilghted
The European Council has agreed on a new climate target for 2030. The member states want to decrease annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent and also take other steps on their path to climate neutrality until 2050. Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Minister Gewessler are pleased with the agreement.
December 11, 2020
European Council: Kurz Hopes for Rapid Approval of Vaccine
Prior to the European Council, Austria's Chancellor Kurz hopes for a rather fast approval process of a Covid-19 vaccine and is looking forward to a succession of close cooperation between the EU and the United States. Other relevant topics for the Council will be sanctions for Turkey, Brexit negotiations, EU climate targets, and the joint fight against terrorism.
December 10, 2020
Selmayr Visits Van der Bellen
Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Austria, Martin Selmayr, visited Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen prior to the upcoming European Council. The two politicians discussed current issues in Europea including the Covid-19 pandemic, the relations with the United States and the Brexit negotiations with the United Kingdom.
December 9, 2020
Chancellor Kurz and Mayor Ludwig Promote Mass Testing
Participation in the Covid-19 mass tests is still possible and is further promoted by Chancellor Kurz and Mayor Ludwig. The two politicians had themselves tested at one of the three locations in Vienna and asked the Viennese population to take advantage of the opportunity the government provides.
December 7, 2020
Ryanair to Close its Base in Vienna
The low-cost airline Ryanair will be closing down its base in Vienna. According to a leaked internal report, the parent company of Austrian Laudamotion, will move the base of its three Boeing planes to a not yet disclosed European airport and close down the base on Vienna's airport.
December 4, 2020
Russia's and Austria's Health Minister Discuss Covid-19 Situation
Michail Muraschko, Russia's Minister for Health, and his Austrian counterpart, Rudolf Anschober, met virtually to discuss the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has had far-reaching effects on both countries. As a result of the meeting, the ministers agreed on the establishment of Covid-19 related working groups.
December 4, 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
New EU Guidelines Relax Air Travelling
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) together with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have issued new guidelines for air travel, which should guide the member states in their respective decisions with regard to Covid-19 measures.
December 3, 2020
Vienna Ice Dream Will Start Ahead of Schedule
Although the famous Vienna Christmas Market on Rathausplatz has to be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, the City of Vienna is able to antedate the Vienna Ice Dream, which will now start just in time for the Christmas festivities on December 24. Since ice skating counts as an outdoor sports, it is allowed under certain circumstances.
December 3, 2020
EU Ministers Discuss Reconstruction of Cultural Sector
The EU Ministers for Culture have come together virtually to discuss the reconstruction and the strengthening of the cultural sector. The current pandemic has shown how vulnerable this particular sector is and establishing proper measures in order to avoid similar downfalls in the future is the highest goal for the EU Ministers.
December 2, 2020
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