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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 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
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
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
Linz Mayor Luger Will Not Introduce Any Further COVID-19 Regulations
The Mayor of Linz announced that the city will not introduce any further regulations concerning the Coronavirus even though the city is now marked with the color yellow at the traffic light system. Present regulations will stay.
September 4, 2020
Mobile Sick Notification Is Only Possible With COVID-19 Symptoms
The Austrian Health Insurance announced that the notification of sick leave via mobile is from now on only possible when the patient shows symptoms of COVID-19. All other patients need to visit the doctor in person again.
September 2, 2020
A COVID-19 Vaccine Is Possibly Available in January According to Anschober
Minister Anschober announced that with the start of schools and the colder weather the fourth phase of the Corona pandemic is starting, which will last until a vaccine is found. Therefore, the next months will be very challenging also because of increase in influenza cases.
September 1, 2020
Kurz: "There is light at the end of the tunnel"
Today, Chancellor Kurz was holding a State of the Union Address and talked about the Coronavirus, special vacation for parents and a "pact against isolation". According to him, the next summer will be normal again. However, the time until then will be challenging.
August 28, 2020
EU Standards for COVID-19 Are Demanded
EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (both ÖVP) and EU Member of Parliament Manfred Weber (CSU) are demanding EU standardised regulations in order to prevent further confusion as the regulations within the EU states are varying.
August 26, 2020
Kaiser Apologizes for the Chaos at the Border
Governor Peter Kaiser apologized today to all people who got stuck at the borders to Austria on Saturday evening. He says that this situation should never happen again and claims that communication problems between the federal and the state government led to the chaos.
August 24, 2020
Austria Introduces Travel Warning for Balearics
The government announced a travel warning for the Balearics and therefore reacts on the increasing number of Corona infected returners. The travel warning is valid since Monday, August 24 onwards and a negative PCR-test or a home quarantine is necessary to enter Austria.
August 19, 2020 · Updated: August 19, 2020; 18:37
Comprehensive COVID-19 Tests for High-Risk-Country-Travelers Should Bring Back Freedom to Travel
AUA Austrian Airlines calls for comprehensive COVID-19 testing to replace general landing and entry bans.
August 19, 2020
Sick Notification via Phone May Be Extended
Due to the Corona Pandemic, the possibility to receive a sick notification via mobile phone was introduced. This regulation will end in August, but the Medical Chamber is pleading for an extension. The Health Ministry is thinking about it.
August 18, 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 in Lower Austria: Update
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has also hit Austria's largest federal state in terms of area, Lower Austria, hard and the number of infected cases is constantly increasing. Below we look at the official data of the Office of the Provincial Government of Lower Austria, and analyze the structure of deaths and infections both provincially (Bundesland) and by district (Bezirk). Questions and answers on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) below.
July 20, 2020
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.
April 17, 2020 · Updated: June 9, 2020; 17:35
Corona Measures: Further Relaxation in Austria - Mandatory Masks Largely Removed from 15 June
From 15 June, the current obligation to protect the mouth and nose will be abolished. What is now permitted and what is not?
May 29, 2020
Austrian Airlines to Resume Flight Operations on 15 June
After an interruption of almost three months, Austrian Airlines will resume flight operations to selected destinations in Europe and Tel Aviv from mid-June onwards. Since no neighbouring seats will be kept empty in case of demand, bold passengers will again be able to fly to up to 40 destinations by the end of June. For specific destinations, see below.
May 28, 2020
Vienna International Centre Prepares to Return to Work
In the last two months, i.e. since Monday, 16 March, most of the Vienna International Centre staff have been working from home. From Friday, May 15th, the VIC will start the gradual return to "normal operation". A long-awaited step that will take place gradually and carefully, with the health and well-being of everyone at the VIC remaining the top priority.
May 13, 2020
Coronavirus: Vienna Airport Offers Tests to Avoid 14-Day Quarantine in Austria
Coronavirus PCR tests on site at Vienna Airport for € 190 (incl. VAT) - no quarantine necessary if results are negative.
May 11, 2020
Coronavirus in Austria: Live-Ticker (Our live coverage has now concluded)
This live ticker has been terminated. Our live coverage has now concluded.
May 1, 2020
Coronavirus in Europe: Update
European coronavirus infections have passed 1,000,000. The number of deaths has now reached 166,007. According to the WHO World Health Organisation, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is still in Europe, together with the US, where there are now more deaths than in the rest of the world. The number of infected and dead people is still doubling every four days in most European countries. Most of the 32 European countries presented in this study are under a state of emergency with curfews and border controls. There is also a lack of doctors, lung respiratory equipment and hospital beds. Following the situation update for the European Union, EEA, United Kingdom and Switzerland, as of April 21, 2020.
April 21, 2020
Contact Tracing: How Does Infection Chain Tracing Work in Austria?
The debate about the advantages and disadvantages of how COVID-19 risk patients can be quickly located and suspected cases isolated has erupted. The Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior now gave an interesting insight into how "contact tracing" has worked in several hundred cases in Upper Austria and Styria.
April 20, 2020
COVID-19: A New Insight into the Number of Unrecorded Cases
Based on new data, the previous spread of the COVID 19 epidemic in Austria was reassessed. This allows new deeper insights into the time development of the number of unreported cases. "We must proceed cautiously in this, because we would not immediately recognize a second wave of infection from the officially confirmed figures, but only after a delay" says Niki Popper, head of the research team.
April 20, 2020
Chancellor Kurz: ''As much freedom as possible, as much restriction as necessary"
First step towards new normality: Small shops were opened in Austria. Curfews still apply.
April 14, 2020
Self-Sufficiency in COVID-19 Mask Production
A first step towards Austrian self-sufficiency in mask production for medical protective equipment was taken. In future, it should be possible to produce up to 500,000 corona protective masks of the "Made in Austria" brand every day.
April 8, 2020
Further Coronavirus Measure: Police Officers in Austria Only in Protective Masks
From now on, police officers in Austria will only perform official acts with protective masks.
April 2, 2020
Explosive Corona Papers: Tens of Thousands of Additional Deaths in Austria
An internal study prepared for the government by a commission of experts on the COVID19 crisis shows a gloomy forecast for Austria. The paper states that under the realistic assumption of a replication factor of 1.7 (i.e. 1 person infects 1.7 people), the Austrian health system will collapse. If it is not possible to push the replication factor below the value of 1, tens of thousands of additional deaths and a collapse of the health care system can be expected in Austria by mid-April.
April 1, 2020
Vienna International Centre: Meanwhile Nine COVID-19 Cases Among VIC Personnel
The VIC Medical Service reports, that there are three more confirmed cases of COVID-19 involving VIC personnel. Still, all employees of the organizations located at the VIC are to work from their home offices. Update: As of March, 31, the cumulative total of COVID-19 among VIC personnel is 10 cases. Update: As of Tuesday, March 31, the cumulative total of COVID-19 among VIC personnel is 10 cases.
March 30, 2020 · Updated: March 31, 2020; 22:30
UN Secretary General: "COVID-19 Threatens All Humanity"
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launches a worldwide UN emergency appeal for help to combat the pathogen of the lung disease Covid-19 in the poorest countries of the world. The war chest is to be filled with two billion US-dollars by the end of the year.
March 26, 2020
Already Six Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in the VIC Community
While 4750 of the approximately 5000 international diplomats, scientists and support staff working at the VIC (UN in Vienna/UNODC, IAEA, UNIDO and CTBTO PrepCom) still have to work from home, it has been revealed that a total of six employees have now been infected with coronavirus.
March 26, 2020
Vienna International Centre: Second COVID-19 Case - Staff Stay at Home Until April 13
In the meantime, there is a second confirmed case of coronavirus infection at the Vienna International Centre (VIC). In addition, the safety measures taken are being extended. All employees of the organizations located at the VIC are to work from their home offices until Monday April 13, 2020.
March 21, 2020
Austria's Federal State Tyrol Under Total Quarantine
The province of Tyrol with 1.8 million inhabitants has issued a quarantine regulation for all 279 Tyrolean communities. Governor Platter: "That Tyrol isolates itself is absolutely necessary."
March 19, 2020
UN Vienna at the Home Office: Instead of 5000 Staff, only 250
The VIC Vienna International Centre informed today that the order that the staff of the four major UN agencies stationed at the VIC should work from home is bearing fruit, and that only about 250 would come to the VIC. Further measures to reduce attendance are planned.
March 18, 2020
First COVID-19 Case at Vienna International Centre Confirmed
The VIC Vienna International Centre (UNO-City) confirms the first case of coronavirus infection, according to which a person who was thought to have contracted influenza as early as 2 March is now infected with coronavirus after all. According to the VIC, none of the first responders have developed any symptoms in the last 14 days.
March 17, 2020
COVID-19: "How do we get through this, Mr. President?"
Alexander Van der Bellen spoke to the "Kronen Zeitung" about an unprecedented threat: "In Austria we want to avoid a situation in hospitals where doctors have to decide who gets the oxygen, the 70-year-old or the 60-year-old."
March 16, 2020
Biggest Health Crisis of the Last Decades - Current Legal COVID-19 Measures in Detail
The next four weeks will decide on the health of many, says the Austrian Minister of Health. What legal bans are in force as of today...
March 16, 2020
Information Campaign on Coronavirus in 11 Foreign Languages
As part of an information campaign for people with a migration background on how to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19), extensive information is now available in 11 foreign languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Dari/Farsi, English, French, Pashto, Polish, Russian, Somali, Turkish and Bosnian-Serbian-Croatian.
March 16, 2020
Austrian Airlines Terminates Flight Operations
Austrian Airlines is temporarily suspending its regular flight operations from Wednesday night. The last flight will arrive in Vienna on Thursday morning from Chicago. All further flights until at least March 28, 2020, or "until further notice" are cancelled. The airline is aware of its responsibility, will cooperate with the Austrian government and try to bring home as many Austrians as possible. One long-haul and one medium-haul aircraft will remain in use for emergency and relief flights.
March 16, 2020
COVID-19 Bill Adopted by National Council and Upper House of Parliament
Both the National Council and the Federal Council today approved the major legislative package to deal with the coronavirus crisis. The signing by the Federal President took already place this evening.
March 15, 2020
Coronavirus: VIC Sends Staff to Work from Home
The Vienna International Centre (VIC, UNO-City) is intensifying its security measures against the coronavirus. All employees of the organizations based at the VIC are to work from home from Monday, 16 March to Friday, 3 April. Update: On Sunday, 15 March, the UNIS United Nations Information Service concretised the specifications of the main Vienna-based UN organisations as outlined below.
March 12, 2020 · Updated: March 15, 2020; 17:00
Austria Suspends Travel also with Great Britain, Russia, the Netherlands and Ukraine
After Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, Iran and parts of China, Austria is now also discontinuing air and rail traffic with Great Britain, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine.
March 15, 2020
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
Austria Reports Second Death from COVID-19
In Vienna, the second person died from the consequences of the coronavirus.
March 15, 2020 · Updated: March 15, 2020; 12:06
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
Austria is Concerned, but Federal President Remains Silent
In Austria - as in the rest of the world - there is also the danger of a coronavirus pandemic, but Federal President Van der Bellen, who ran the election campaign with a ticket from the Green Party, and who comments on the climate crisis almost weekly, remains silent, instead of informing the population and calling on them to take preventive measures. (Updated on March 13, 2020. See below.)
February 29, 2020 · Updated: March 13, 2020; 20:30
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
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