Austria Reopens: What To Expect And When

Austria has had a long history of lockdowns and reopenings since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has taken a cautious approach to reopening, with the nationwide lockdown for vaccinated and recovered people ending on December 12, 2021. Regionally adapted opening steps were then taken, with some federal states allowing touristic travel before others. To enter hotels, ski lifts, and restaurants, individuals had to follow the 2-G rule, which required proof of full vaccination or recovery from COVID-19. As of May 2022, Austria has reopened large sections of its economy, including restaurants, cultural institutions, and sports and recreational facilities, to those carrying a green pass, indicating vaccination, testing, or recovery from COVID-19.

Austria's hospitality industry reopens

After nearly seven months of lockdown, Austria's hospitality industry is finally reopening. The lockdown was imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, and now, with daily cases at their lowest since September 2020 and a successful vaccination campaign, the country is carefully reopening its restaurants, cultural institutions, and sports and recreational facilities. This is a significant step towards reviving the country's economy, and the mood among Austrians is one of relief and excitement.

A Gradual Reopening

The reopening of Austria's hospitality sector began on May 19, 2022, with the majority of businesses complying with regulations. In Vienna, 90% of gastronomic establishments opened their doors, providing a much-needed boost to their suppliers. The reopening was met with enthusiasm, and by the weekend, restaurants across the country were bustling.

Safety Measures

To enter restaurants and cafes, guests must present a "green pass," proving they are vaccinated, tested, or have recovered from COVID-19. This 3-G-rule has become the key to resuming public life in Austria. Additionally, guests are required to register on-site by providing their contact details via a QR code or paper form. While most venues are diligently enforcing these measures, there have been some challenges. Some landlords have expressed discomfort with rigorously checking their customers, and a few breaches of COVID regulations have been reported.

Impact on Employment

The reopening of the hospitality industry has had a positive impact on employment in Austria. Shortly after, unemployment dipped below 400,000 for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, indicating a step towards economic recovery.

Future Plans

With the first week of reopening passing without major incidents, the Austrian government is already planning to lift additional restrictions. The Health Minister announced that outdoor mask mandates, distancing rules, and closing hours could be eased as early as June 10, 2022, with concrete plans to be presented soon.

Challenges and Adaptations

While the hospitality industry reopens, it is important to note that the pandemic has not entirely subsided. The highly contagious Omicron variant and rising infection rates in neighbouring countries pose ongoing risks. As such, Austria is taking a cautious approach, and the reopening process is gradual and carefully monitored.

A Step Towards Normalcy

The reopening of Austria's hospitality industry marks a significant step towards normalcy for the country. With safety measures in place, Austrians can once again enjoy dining out, socialising, and partaking in cultural and recreational activities. This careful balance between public health and economic recovery is a welcome development for a nation eager to move forward.

The 3-G rule for Austrians

The 3-G rule in Austria states that individuals must provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative test result to enter certain venues. This rule is part of the country's efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 and facilitate the reopening of various sectors.

Where does the 3-G rule apply?

The 3-G rule applies to the gastronomy sector, including restaurants, bars, and cafes. Additionally, it covers airport lounges, hotels, ski lifts, and other tourist attractions.

Enforcement and Penalties:

The Austrian federal government has announced strict monitoring of the 3-G regulation to ensure compliance. Police officers are authorised to issue on-the-spot fines for non-compliance. Failure to provide the required proof will result in a fine of 90 euros for individuals, with administrative penalties ranging from 500 euros to 3,600 euros for operators and businesses. These measures aim to encourage adherence to the COVID-19 measures and protect public health.

The Impact of the 3-G Rule:

The implementation of the 3-G rule has been a crucial aspect of Austria's reopening strategy. By ensuring that individuals accessing certain venues pose a low epidemiological risk, the country aims to curb the spread of COVID-19, particularly the highly contagious Delta variant. The rule complements other safety measures, such as social distancing, face masks, and improved ventilation, creating a comprehensive approach to controlling the pandemic.

Looking Ahead:

The Austrian government is committed to striking a balance between reopening the economy and ensuring the safety of its citizens and visitors. The 3-G rule is expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future, serving as a key tool in the country's pandemic response. As the situation evolves, the government will continue to monitor infection rates and make adjustments as necessary to protect public health and support the gradual return to normalcy.

Travel to Austria for tourism

As of May 2022, Austria is open for tourism. The country ended its 3-week lockdown on 12 December 2021, and the winter season was back in full swing before Christmas. Certain COVID measures remained in place, such as the "2-G rule" (proof of full vaccination/recovery) to enter hotels, ski lifts, and restaurants, among other places.

On 19 May 2022, large sections of the Austrian economy, including restaurants, cultural institutions, and sports and recreational facilities, reopened to those carrying a "green pass," certifying that they are vaccinated, tested, or have recovered from COVID-19. This "3-G-rule" has become the key to re-entering public life in Austria. Additionally, guests dining in restaurants and cafes must register on-site by providing their contact details via a QR code or paper form.

Before the reopening in May, Austria had been under strict lockdown restrictions since February 2021, with a brief period of loosening in April 2020. The reopening was made possible due to encouraging pandemic developments, with daily cases at their lowest since September 2020, and the progress of Austria's vaccination campaign. As of 26 May 2022, 45% of the Austrian population had received their first jab, and 17% were fully vaccinated.

The reopening of the hospitality industry has provided a boost to the country's economy, with 90% of gastronomic establishments in Vienna opening their doors. Unemployment in Austria also dipped below 400,000 for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

While most businesses complied with the COVID regulations, there were some violations of the state-mandated curfew and large public gatherings. However, the overall mood in the country was positive, with people eager to return to normalcy and enjoy the newly reopened establishments.

Reopening of shops

The reopening of shops in Austria has been a gradual process, with the country cautiously lifting restrictions and adapting to the evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is an overview of the reopening of shops in Austria:

Initial Reopening

The Austrian government began easing lockdown restrictions in April 2020, allowing thousands of shops to reopen. This initial step towards reopening the economy was taken due to encouraging signs in the country's COVID-19 situation.

Second Lockdown and Reopening

In February 2021, Austria lifted its third lockdown by permitting non-essential shops to reopen. This decision was made despite high COVID-19 case numbers. However, the country soon faced rising infections, leading to a delay in the reopening of cafes, restaurants, and bar terraces.

Third Lockdown and Reopening

Austria imposed a nationwide three-week lockdown in late 2021, which ended on December 12, 2021. During this period, vaccinated and recovered individuals were subject to lockdown restrictions. After the lockdown concluded, the country adopted a gradual reopening approach, with different regions reopening at different times.

Reopening with COVID-19 Measures

During the reopening phases, shops in Austria were allowed to welcome customers back under specific conditions outlined in the "COVID-19-Lockerungsverordnung" ordinance. These conditions included limiting customers to one per 10 square meters in the customer area and mandating face masks for both staff and customers. Social distancing measures were also enforced, requiring individuals from different households to maintain a minimum distance of one meter.

Green Pass and Hospitality Reopening

On May 19, 2022, large sections of the Austrian economy, including restaurants, cultural institutions, and sports facilities, reopened with the implementation of the "3-G-rule." This rule required individuals to provide proof of vaccination, a recent negative test, or recovery from COVID-19 (Green Pass) to access these spaces. This reopening was facilitated by the country's improving pandemic situation and progressing vaccination campaign.

In conclusion, the reopening of shops in Austria has been a dynamic process, with the country adapting to changing circumstances and implementing appropriate measures to balance economic relief and public health.

Covid-19 cases and restrictions

Austria has been reopening in stages since April 2020, when non-essential shops were allowed to reopen. However, the country has continued to experience waves of Covid-19 infections, which have resulted in the tightening and loosening of restrictions.

In March 2021, Austria postponed the reopening of cafe, restaurant, and bar terraces due to rising coronavirus cases. The government met with the governors of its nine provinces to review the situation and adapt restrictions locally. The hardest-hit provinces at the time were Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland, which borders Hungary. The high number of cases was attributed to the proximity of these regions to eastern European countries with high infection rates and the presence of more contagious coronavirus variants.

In December 2021, Austria imposed a 3-week nationwide lockdown, which ended on December 12. The lockdown was effective in reducing the infection rate, and the country began a gradual reopening process. The lockdown for vaccinated and recovered people ended on December 12, and regionally adapted opening steps were implemented. Travel for touristic purposes was allowed in specific regions before being expanded to the whole country on December 20. Certain Covid measures remained in place, such as the "2-G rule," which required proof of full vaccination or recovery to enter hotels, ski lifts, and restaurants.

By May 2022, large sections of the Austrian economy had reopened, including restaurants, cultural institutions, and sports and recreational facilities. The reopening was facilitated by the country's vaccination campaign and a decrease in daily cases to their lowest level since September 2020. The "3-G-rule" ("getestet, geimpft oder genesen") was implemented, allowing individuals with proof of vaccination, a negative test, or recovery from Covid to access public spaces. To enter restaurants, guests were required to register on-site by providing their contact details.

Throughout the pandemic, Austria has implemented and lifted various restrictions in response to changing Covid-19 case numbers. These measures have included curfews, social distancing, and mask mandates. Businesses have been required to comply with capacity limits and ensure that customers follow the necessary safety protocols.

Frequently asked questions