Lockdown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Update: Lockdown in Austria - What applies from Monday 7 December?

Starting next Monday, the all-day exit restriction will be relaxed and rescheduled back to 8pm to 6am. Shops, all services providers and museums are allowed to open again. Kindergartens and compulsory schools will resume regular classes. Restaurants will remain closed. Delivery services, with the exception of the delivery or "pick-up" of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited. Cross-border arrivals from an area categorized as a risk area must be quarantined for ten days, after five days a PCR test may be performed. Outdoor sports, including skiing, will be allowed from 24 December. Restaurants, hotels and cultural institutions will not be allowed to reopen until 7 January.

December 2, 2020

Vienna Symphony Orchestra Goes Living Room

Due to the second lockdown in Austria, the majority of public cultural life is at rest. However, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra will be providing some variety with its Living Room Concerts, which will be live-streamed for anyone interested. The concerts will take place every Friday until December 18.

November 27, 2020

Von der Leyen and Kurz: Light At the End of the Tunnel

After a virtual meeting between EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Austria's Chancellor Kurz both assured that there is a light at the end of the tunnel of the Covid-19 pandemic. The two politicians have discussed EU's vaccine strategy and other topics regarding the ongoing pandemic.

November 27, 2020

Lockdown: Public Church Services Suspended Until Further Notice

In addition to the measures put in place by the federal government, Austria's Minister of Cultural Affairs together with representatives of churches and religious communities have agreed to suspend all public church services until further notice. Places of worship will, however, stay open for personal prayers.

November 17, 2020

Austria's Second Hard Lockdown: So what applies now? - Live Updates

The new COVID-19- emergency measure regulation brings beyond the already existing measures intensified exit regulations and an extensive closing of business. The retail stores for basic supplies (food, pharmacies, post office, banks, etc.) will remain open. The Ordinance came into force on 17 November 2020 and is valid up to and including 6 December 2020.

November 16, 2020

WKO Heads: "Lockdown Hits Companies With Full Force"

The new lockdown will once again shut down Austria's economy in its entirety. The heads of the Austria Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) emphasize the importance of financial support for companies by the government and of a well functioning education for children despite school closings.

November 16, 2020

Austria's Hard Lockdown: So what applies now?

The details of new COVID-19 measures were announced today. For the next two and a half weeks up to and including December 6, Austria will have a second respectively third full lockdown as in spring. What will now apply with regard to curfews, contacts, shopping, hospitals and health services, sports, professional activities, body related services, education, schools and kindergartens?

November 14, 2020 · Updated: November 14, 2020; 17:25

Austria Faces Hard Lockdown

Due to rapidly rising Covid-19 infection rates in Austria, the government will most likely implement a hard lockdown starting at the beginning of next week. The new restrictions might include the closing of schools and kindergartens as well as shutting down all stores that are not providing goods to cover basic needs.

November 13, 2020

Ambassador Turner Met Governor of Carinthia

British Ambassador to Austria met Carinthia's Governor Kaiser to discuss the current Covid-19 situation in Austria and also the Brexit negotiations that are in the decisive stage. Turner hopes that the registration of British citizens following the Brexit will be easy and unbureaucratic.

November 12, 2020

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

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

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

Massive Drop in the Austrian Service Sector Turnover in 2nd Quarter of 2020

The service sector experienced a major decrease in turnover by 27.9% less than in the same timeframe of the previous year. The sectors "accommodation and gastronomy" and "other economic services" like travel agencies declined at the most.

September 3, 2020