Austria Reopens: Travel And Safety Protocols In Place

Austria has had a turbulent relationship with lockdowns and border closures over the past few years. In 2020, Austria reopened its borders to 31 European countries, including Estonia. However, in 2021, Austria imposed a national lockdown, closing restaurants, hotels, and Christmas markets. The country reopened on December 13, 2021, but with tight restrictions on unvaccinated individuals. In 2024, Austria went back into a national lockdown, suspending tourism.

Austria's borders reopened to 31 European countries in June 2020

On 16 June 2020, Austria reopened its borders to 31 European countries, including Estonia. The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided more information on the reopening.

The first 31 countries that were authorised to travel to Austria included all of the European Union nations. Visitors from these approved EU countries could enter Austria without needing to quarantine or undergo testing. However, Austria did implement specific rules for tourists. The government asked all visitors to abide by health regulations, including social distancing of 1 metre between strangers, avoiding physical greetings, wearing a mask when necessary, and frequently washing hands.

Austria's reopening for tourism also came with specific requirements for entry. Both residency and location were considered for eligibility. Travellers had to be residents of one of the approved countries and have been physically present in one of those countries for the past 14 days.

By June 2020, many tourist attractions in Austria were open, albeit with different rules and limited hours. Hotels and inns had been reopening since late May, and restaurants, cafes, and eateries since 15 May. Indoor and outdoor events of up to 100 people were permitted, and museums, zoos, swimming pools, and other attractions had been reopening since 29 May.

Austria's Consulate in Calgary reopened after flooding

The Consulate of Austria in Calgary has reopened after suffering flood damage. The consulate is located at Demiantschuk Milley Burke & Hoffinger, Barristers, and is open from Wednesday to Friday, 13:00-17:00. It is closed on weekends and holidays.

The consulate is headed by Mr. Nikolaus Demiantschuk, Honorary Consul, and offers consular services to Austrian citizens. These services include passport renewal and issuance, notarial services and legalization, and emergency assistance and documents.

Austrian citizens in Calgary can contact the consulate by phone at (+1) (403) 252 99 37 or by email at [email protected].

It is important to note that honorary consulates typically offer limited consular services, so Austrian citizens are advised to contact the consulate directly to confirm which services are available.

In addition to the consulate in Calgary, Austria has six other representations in Canada, including an embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

Austria's ski resorts reopened in December 2021

Some ski resorts had already been open that season but closed due to the lockdown. These included Hintertux, Stubai, Pitztal, Kaunertal, Moltal, Kitzbuhel, Kitzsteinhorn, and Schladming.

The Molltaler glacier and the glacier resort of Kitzsteinhorn above Kaprun in Salzburg were among the first to reopen after the lockdown. The resort of Lech also reopened on December 13, 2021, with a spokesperson stating, "Preparations are going on at full speed. The freshly fallen snow needs to be prepared. The conditions are excellent for the start of the season! You can look forward to it!"

While ski resorts and other businesses were allowed to reopen, restrictions remained in place. Apres-ski bars and nightclubs were ordered to remain closed until at least January 9, 2022. Restaurants and cafes were required to close by 11 pm. To access ski lifts, a health pass and an FFP2 mask were mandatory. However, masks were not required while skiing on the slopes.

The Austrian government also announced that Covid-19 vaccinations would be mandatory for all eligible people by February 2022.

Austria's rail link to Germany reopened in September 2015

Austria's rail link to Germany was temporarily closed in September 2015 due to an influx of migrants and asylum seekers. The rail link between Salzburg, Austria, and Germany was used by thousands of refugees to reach Germany. The suspension of the rail service was initially requested by German authorities to stem the flow of people.

On September 14, 2015, most train lines between Austria and Germany were reopened, except for a line to Munich that remained closed due to people on the tracks. The Austrian rail company OeBB confirmed the resumption of train traffic, with a spokeswoman stating, "Train traffic has resumed since 7 o'clock (0500 GMT)".

The closure of the rail link caused frustration among refugees, with over 2,000 stranded at the Salzburg main train station choosing to walk to the German border instead. The suspension of the rail service was part of Germany's efforts to manage the large number of asylum seekers arriving daily.

Austria's rail network is primarily operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), which also manages rail transport in Liechtenstein. The country is among the leaders in the European Union regarding the distance traveled by rail per inhabitant and year. The Austrian railway network extends over 6,123 km, with most lines using the standard gauge of 1,435 mm.

Austria's Vienna Museum Karlsplatz reopened after a three-year renovation

After a three-year renovation, Austria's Vienna Museum Karlsplatz has finally reopened its doors to the public. The museum, which first opened in 1959, was designed by the renowned architect Oswald Haerdtl, a former employee of Josef Hoffmann. Over the years, the building had become too small and was in dire need of renovation. The Austrian team of architects Certov, Winkler + Ruck spent four years modernising the building and adding a spectacular upper floor.

The renovation has transformed the museum, creating a space that combines history with modern design. The new upper floor, made of exposed concrete, "floats" above the original building and will house temporary exhibitions. The net usable space has almost doubled, and an open space between the old and new buildings serves as a terrace, offering stunning views of Karlsplatz and the surrounding area. This floor also boasts a café, an event centre, and educational studios.

The Wien Museum's permanent exhibition, "Vienna. My History," spans three floors and 3,300 square metres of exhibition space, showcasing 1,700 objects that tell the fascinating history of Vienna from the Neolithic Age to the present day. The exhibition covers various themes, including art, culture, economics, social issues, and urban development, and features works by renowned artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Richard Gerstl.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum also offers special exhibitions that require a ticket for entry. These exhibitions cover a range of artistic, sociocultural, and contemporary themes, providing a well-rounded cultural experience for visitors.

The museum's restaurant, "trude," located in the entrance area, serves modern Viennese cuisine and has an outdoor terrace. The café-bar on the terrace floor, named "& töchter," offers a relaxing space for visitors to enjoy a drink while taking in the surrounding views.

The reopening of the Wien Museum Karlsplatz is a significant cultural addition to Austria, providing both locals and tourists with a modern space to explore the rich history and cultural offerings of Vienna.

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