Austria travel restrictions and latest advice

Austria has launched a nationwide lockdown following a spike in new Covid circumstances.

The brand new restrictions got here into impact on Monday 22 November and will likely be in place for a minimum of 10 days, with the choice to increase them for an extra 10 days. The lockdown will finish on 12 December on the newest.

There was beforehand a lockdown in place within the nation particularly for the 2 million individuals who had but to be absolutely vaccinated. Since 15 November, unvaccinated residents and guests have solely permitted to go away house for a slim variety of causes, similar to meals procuring or work.

The newest lockdown applies to vaccinated residents too, following report case numbers of coronavirus and Austria affected by having one of many lowest vaccination ranges in Western Europe.

“We don’t need a fifth wave,” mentioned Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, including that vaccination would turn out to be a authorized requirement from 1 February 2022.

However what do the brand new guidelines imply for travellers? Right here’s what we all know to this point.

Can vaccinated Brits journey to Austria?

No. The official journey info portal, Austria.data, says: “A lockdown will likely be in impact in Austria from 22 November till in all probability 13 December.

“Journey to Austria for touristic functions will solely be attainable once more after that date.”

The Social Ministry in Vienna says: “Entry into Austria from particular person nations is … solely permitted for particular causes.”

Many flights from the UK to Austria have been cancelled because of this – although not all.

What about after lockdown ends?

British travellers ought to be allowed again in as soon as the nationwide lockdown ends, with totally different restrictions relying on whether or not or not they’re absolutely vaccinated.

For vaccinated travellers:

If you happen to present proof of vaccination, you would not have to self-isolate or register upon entry to Austria. Austria will settle for the UK’s proof of Covid restoration and vaccination report. If you’re travelling with a printed PDF proof of vaccination standing, it should date from after 1 November to make sure that the certificates might be scanned efficiently.

Austria is certainly one of a handful of nations that has launched an expiration date for vaccine passports. “For double-shot vaccines (eg AstraZeneca, Moderna), you need to present that you just acquired the second injection not more than 360 days earlier than arrival,” says the International Workplace (FCDO). “If you happen to acquired a booster greater than 120 days after being absolutely immunised, this should not have been greater than 360 days earlier than arrival.”

This timeframe is decreasing subsequent month – from 6 December 2021, you’re solely thought of vaccinated for 270 days after receiving a second or third dose of a recognised vaccine.

For unvaccinated travellers:

Travellers who aren’t absolutely vaccinated should current a adverse take a look at or proof of restoration from Covid, plus self-isolate for 10 days on arrival.

For proof of a adverse Covid take a look at, PCR outcomes have to be no older than 72 hours, antigen take a look at (eg lateral circulate) outcomes have to be no older than 48 hours, and antigen self-test outcomes (which have to be recorded in an official information processing system) have to be no older than 24 hours.

For proof of restoration, travellers should present proof of restoration throughout the previous 180 days or proof of neutralising antibodies not more than 90 days previous.

Youngsters as much as the age of 12 would not have to offer a take a look at consequence if travelling underneath the supervision of an grownup. If the accompanying grownup has to self-isolate, the kid should self-isolate too. The kid can then go away self-isolation concurrently the grownup. If travelling unattended, the identical necessities apply as for adults.

Youngsters aged 12-18 should self-isolate and register on arrival, until they or the grownup travelling with them are exempt from self-isolation, for instance by way of vaccination.

Will there be restrictions in place as soon as there?

The Austria.data portal says: “After the top of the present lockdown, the 2-G-rule (proof of full vaccination/previous an infection) will likely be in impact once more in Austria, in addition to FFP2 masks necessities in lots of areas.”

Which means that, even when lockdown lifts, unvaccinated individuals will nonetheless be barred from visiting eating places, hairdressers, cinemas, Christmas Markets, bars, eating places, nightclubs, theatres and lodges.

FFP2 face masks – the European equal to N95 respirator masks – are obligatory on public transport and in taxis, plus in retailers, banks, bakeries, cable automobiles, museums, libraries, publish places of work, pharmacies and medical doctors’ places of work.

Can I cancel my vacation to Austria?

If you happen to’re resulting from vacation in Austria, your cancellation rights will rely upon what you’ve booked. If you happen to’ve bought a package deal vacation, you’re protected by the 2018 Bundle Journey and Linked Journey Preparations Rules; it’s probably your supplier will mean you can shift dates or declare a full refund.

If you happen to’ve booked separate parts, issues get extra complicated. Whether or not you may get a refund from the airline will rely upon whether or not the flight you’re resulting from take is cancelled. If it nonetheless runs, the service shouldn’t be obliged to refund you. Nonetheless, many airways have launched extra versatile rebooking insurance policies throughout the pandemic, so you can be probably be supplied a voucher or the choice to vary your dates as a substitute. Likewise, should you contact your lodging supplier, they might be keen to shift your reserving.

Additionally test what’s lined by your journey insurance coverage – relying in your coverage phrases, you might be able to declare a reimbursement by way of this.

What are the foundations for returning to the UK?

There are not any nations left on the UK’s crimson record at current, that means all nations are on its Remainder of World (ROW) record.

Necessities for returning to the UK rely upon whether or not the traveller is absolutely vaccinated or not. Those that are double jabbed don’t have any want to check earlier than returning or quarantine – they need to merely e-book and take a personal Covid take a look at (lateral circulate is now acceptable) inside two days of arriving.

Travellers who are usually not absolutely vaccinated should current a adverse Covid take a look at (lateral circulate is appropriate) taken within the three days earlier than departure, self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, and take two personal PCR assessments on days two and eight of quarantine. These in England might decide to pay for a 3rd take a look at on day 5 to go away self-isolation early if the result’s adverse.

All travellers should fill in a passenger locator kind earlier than departure for the UK.