Wolfgang Mueckstein

Covid in Austria: Lockdown for the Unvaccinated Ends Monday

As COVID-19 infections reached a new high in Austria due to Omicron, Chancellor Nehammer and Health Minister Mückstein announced an end to the lockdown for the unvaccinated. Read why they decided to end the lockdown and which measures still apply.

January 26, 2022

Austrian Compulsory Vaccination Bill is Ready: "We Want Freedom Back!"

The Austrian government has announced that the controversial compulsory vaccination bill is finally ready. Read what Constitutional Minister Edtstadler said about the bill and regaining freedom.

December 10, 2021

Austrian Compulsory Vaccination Bill Provides for Fines of up to 7,200 Euros

Compulsory vaccination is to apply to everyone who has a residence or habitual abode in Austria and is over the age of 12. Those who do not comply with the vaccination obligation can be summoned. If they also fail to appear at a follow-up appointment, the draft law provides for penalties of up to 3,600 euros or four weeks' imprisonment. Who gets already punished for the second time, must pay 7,200 euros. The details below.

November 29, 2021 · Updated: November 30, 2021; 08:50

Explained: Compulsory Covid Vaccination for All in Austria as of February 2022

The Austrian government has announced that vaccination against COVID-19 will be mandatory as early as February 2022. Learn more about the new law and what it means for people in Austria.

November 25, 2021

Full Lockdown in Austria: These Rules Apply from November 22 to December 12, 2021, Inclusive

An Austria-wide lockdown for everyone, including those vaccinated, has again been in effect in Austria since Monday, November 22, due to the dramatic Corona situation. The updated key points in detail.

November 23, 2021

Solidarity with Vietnam: Austria Sends 50,000 Vaccines

Parts of Vietnam are currently experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19. To simultaneously help Vietnam in the fight against the virus and improve bilateral relations, Austria donated 50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Read more about this act of solidarity.

November 22, 2021

Covid in Austria: Lockdown From Monday, Immediate Tightening of Measures in Vienna

Chancellor Schallenberg and Health Minister Mückstein have announced a nationwide lockdown for Austria beginning Monday. As of February 1, 2022, vaccination will be mandatory in Austria. Additionally, Vienna has announced a tightening of COVID-19 measures effective immediately. Read about the upcoming lockdown and the new measures in Vienna.

November 19, 2021

Covid in Austria: Nationwide Lockdown for Unvaccinated Effective Immediately

Due to the low vaccination rate of about 65 percent and the exploding new infections, a lockdown for the unvaccinated is being imposed in Austria in the fight against the fourth Corona wave. The new rule has been in effect since midnight of Sunday to Monday. The measure will be monitored very consistently, and violations will be punished accordingly. About two million people are affected.

November 14, 2021 · Updated: November 14, 2021; 22:30

COVID-19 in Austria: Concerns About Transition to 2.5G Rule in Workplace

Due to increased COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Austria is considering transitioning from the 3G rule in the workplace to a 2.5G rule in the coming weeks. Some government officials are expressing concerns about the implementation of this change. Read about the potential requirement change and the concerns that some have about it.

November 3, 2021

How and Where to Get Vaccinated for Free Against Influenza in Vienna

The City of Vienna is offering free influenza vaccines between November 2, 2021 and March 31, 2022 to all people over the age of 7 months who live, study or work in Vienna. A total of 450,000 vaccine doses are available. Find out when and where to sign up and where to get the vaccination here.

October 25, 2021

Auschwitz-Birkenau: Austrian Delegation to Visit Largest Mass Murder Site in Human History

At the invitation of the Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Piotr M.A. Cywiński and Austrian National Council President Sobotka, an Austrian delegation including President Van der Bellen and Foreign Minister Schallenberg will attend the opening of the new Austrian national exhibition "Distance - Austria and Auschwitz" in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum at the former Nazi concentration camp. Read more about the important new exhibition, who will be attending the opening, and the schedule for the rest of the president's trip to Poland.

October 4, 2021

U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Latest Austrian Approaches

In furtherance of the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Austria has created the SDG Dialogue Forum Austria. This new annual event is intended to promote partnerships as described in SDG 17 of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. Read about this new event and what Austrian EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler said at its first meeting at the Natural History Museum Vienna.

September 30, 2021

One Million Corona Vaccine Doses for Tehran

Due to the spread of the delta variant, Iran is currently suffering from the fifth and most severe wave of the coronavirus pandemic. To help assist Iran in the fight against the pandemic, Austria is providing the country with one million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Austrian Ministers Schallenberg, Nehammer, and Mückstein all expressed their support for the aid package.

September 8, 2021

Ukrainian-Austrian Solidarity: Schallenberg Attends Inaugural Summit of Crimea Platform and Delivers Vaccines

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hosted Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Kiev for working talks. Schallenberg also attended the founding event of the Crimea Platform, which aims to reverse the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, and he delivered a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to aid Ukraine in the COVID-19 pandemic fight.

August 23, 2021 · Updated: August 23, 2021; 16:48

Solidarity with Lebanon: Austria Sends 100,000 Vaccines

The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the multiple crises Lebanon is already facing, including the massive explosion in Beirut, an economic crisis, and political and social instability. Austria is donating 100,000 COVID-19 vaccines to aid Lebanon in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

August 17, 2021

Austria Celebrates Ten-millionth COVID-19 Vaccination

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein celebrated Austria administering its ten-millionth dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. The pair thanked everyone for their efforts and pleaded with the unvaccinated to go get vaccinated.

August 16, 2021

Mückstein Announces Ten Million Euros for International Projects in Health and Social Sector

Austrian Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein announced that Austria will provide ten million euros for European and international projects to address the health and social consequences of COVID-19. The projects are particularly targeted at women and girls, refugees and vulnerable groups that have been significantly affected by the health and economic consequences of the pandemic.

August 13, 2021

Solidarity With Bosnia and Herzegovina: Austria Sends 500,000 Vaccines

Austria has sent over 500,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This shipment is in addition to the 650,000 vaccines that were provided to the Western Balkan states by the EU. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein all expressed their pleasure in working with Austria's neighbors to end the coronavirus pandemic.

August 11, 2021

Austria Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

New studies suggest that a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot will be necessary to help end the pandemic. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Health Minister Wolgang Mückstein publicly stated that Austria is taking the necessary steps to prepare for administering a third dose of the vaccine once it is recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

August 9, 2021

Emergency Aid for Tunisia: Austria Delivers 50,000 Vaccines

Tunisia is receiving 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccines for COVID-19 from Austria. This comes as Tunisia is suffering heavily from the pandemic and has requested assistance.

August 3, 2021

Delta Variant on the Rise in Austria: Tightening of Coronavirus Measures Again

The rapid spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus in Austria is the reason for significant tightening of access to night catering and events and changes to the green passport. The latest changes are as follows.

July 15, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Restrictions Ease on July 1

Austria celebrates its next opening step on July 1. From then on, the nightly curfew is eliminated, clubs are allowed to re-open, and FFP2 masks can be exchanged for mouth-nose protection. Read more about the new regulations below.

June 29, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Shorter Vaccination Intervals Suggested

The Austrian National Immunization Panel (NIG) has updated its recommendations for Covid-19 vaccines. Due to the spread of the Delta variant, the intervals between first and second vaccination are reduced. Read more about the latest developments here.

June 28, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: 50% of Total Population Vaccinated, Focus on Young Adults

Austria has reached the milestone of vaccinating 50 percent of all people in Austria. The pace of Covid-19 vaccinations remains high and Vienna will particularly focus on young adults in July. Read more about the developments below.

June 22, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Austrian Green Passport Fully Operational

The Austrian Green Passport is fully functioning and ready for the EU-wide solution in July. Now, the EU-compliant QR codes for proof of vaccination, testing or recovery can be accessed and showed when necessary.

June 21, 2021

Weekly Briefing: Return to Normality in July

The Austrian government has announced the reduction of restrictions as of July 1. Three weeks later, some more relaxations could be implemented. Are the coming weeks the last ones of the pandemic? Find out more about this week's developments.

June 17, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: What Applies As of July 1?

The Austrian government has announced further relaxations of the Covid-19 measures starting in July. The curfew will be lifted and the obligatory FFP2 masks will be replaced by a normal mouth-nose protection in most public areas. Read more about what applies as of July 1.

June 17, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Free Test Offer to be Expanded

The Austrian Ministry of Health has announced that it will expand its pharmacy test offer even further. Soon, children from the age of 10 can pick up self-tests free of charge. Read everything about the new regulation below.

June 16, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: 2 Million Have Full Immunization

More than 2 million people and thus one in four of the vaccine-eligible population in Austria are fully immunized. In total, more than 6 million vaccines have been administered.

June 14, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: What Applies Now?

As of today, June 10, Austria faces fewer restrictions. While the curfew for restaurants is being extended to 12 a.m. now, even fewer restrictions will be in place in July. Read more about what applies now below.

June 10, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Half of the Population is Vaccinated

Half of the vaccine-eligible Austrian population has received its first Covid-19 vaccination. This number corresponds to about 4 million people, while close to 2 million people have already received full immunization.

June 8, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Delay in Vaccination Progress

As assumed by the provinces, the Austrian government's plan to offer a Covid-19 vaccine to every willing Austrian or person that is living in Austria does not hold. Due to an increased demand, some will get their first vaccine in July.

June 2, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Will the Chancellor's Promise be Broken?

As of today, not all of Austria's nine provinces can imagine that all those who want to get vaccinated will in fact receive their first vaccination by June. Read about the recent developments below.

June 1, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Vaccine for 12- to 15-Year-Olds

After the approval of the EMA for the BionTech/Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years, Austria aims to have the more than 340,000 eligible children and adolescents vaccined by the end of August. Read more below!

May 31, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: 4.5 Million Vaccines Administered

Austria has administered more than 4.5 million Covid-19 vaccines. As of May 25, around 4.7 million vaccines have been administered to Austrians and to people who live in Austria. Read more about the current progress below!

May 26, 2021

Italy Opens Border for Austria

Italy has opened its border for Austria and many other EU countries. Only a few days before Austria eases its entry regulations, the Italian government has decided to set the stage for inner-European travel.

May 18, 2021

How to Get Into Austria as of May 19

In line with the opening steps in Austria, the government has announced new entry regulations, which should ease the travel to Austria. Read all about the regulations below!

May 18, 2021

Liberation of Concentration Camp: International Diplomatic Delegation Commemorates Anniversary

Due to COVID-19 restriction a limited delegation of political and diplomatic representatives gathered on Sunday in the Mauthausen Concentration Camp for the traditional commemoration of the 76th anniversary of its liberation while honoring the memory of the dead.

May 17, 2021 · Updated: May 17, 2021; 19:44

Covid-19 in Austria: More Than One Third Vaccinated

The Austrian Covid-19 vaccination progress is picking up pace. More than one third of the vaccine-eligible population has received its first immunization. For more information about the exact progress, read below.

May 11, 2021

EU-Wide Minimum Wages: Kurz and Kocher Reluctant

Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Labor Minister Kocher took part at the EU social summit, which dealt with social injustice in all its facets. Among the possible measures to fight injustices, EU-wide minimum wages could be implemented, which would have an enormous impact on the economy.

May 11, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: What Will the Rules Be for the New Normal as of May 19?

Today, the new rules for the planned opening from May 19 were presented. The curfew restriction will be dropped. There will be far-reaching relaxations in the areas of catering, hotels, closed sports venues, cultural facilities and recreational businesses. These will be accompanied by security measures such as access tests, hygiene and distance measures, capacity restrictions and mandatory registration of guests.

May 10, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: 3 Million Vaccines Administered

Austria has administered 1 million Covid-19 vaccines in 19 days. The 3 million mark was exceeded on April 29, only 19 days after Austria has cracked the 2 million mark. In May and June, the new Austrian Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein expects further increases of the vaccination progress.

May 3, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Openings Start May 19

The Austrian government headed by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has announced the opening plans for the near future. On May 19, previously closed sectors such as the tourism, events and sports sector will re-open, while restaurants and schools will also return to "normal" business. Entry requirements will be put in place in order to keep the risk of infection relatively low.

April 26, 2021

Mückstein Becomes New Austrian Health Minister

After the resignation of former Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober, Wolfgang Mückstein has been presented as the successor. The general practitioner and head of the primary care center in Vienna will be sworn in on Monday, April 19, by President Alexander Van der Bellen.

April 14, 2021

Austria's Health Minister Resigns

Austria's Health Minister Rudolf Anschober resigns. After health issues in recent weeks, Anschober steps back knowing that "he would not be able to give 100 percent." Until the announcement of a successor, Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler will take over Anschober's duties. Successor Wolfgang Mückstein already named.

April 13, 2021 · Updated: April 13, 2021; 13:03