Austria's Covid-19 Status: What You Need To Know

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Austria, with the first case reported on February 25, 2020. The Austrian Federal Government has implemented measures to contain the spread of the virus, including social distancing, cancelling events, and recommending people avoid travelling abroad. The Austrian Ministry of Health closely monitors the situation, and the responsible health authorities are taking action. Austria has experienced multiple waves of infection, leading to lockdowns and restrictions on public life. The government has also introduced mass testing, vaccination campaigns, and mask mandates to control the pandemic. International travel restrictions and border controls have been in place, but tourists are now allowed to enter Austria without restrictions.

The Austrian government's response to COVID-19

The Austrian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been varied and wide-ranging. The country's Alpine location and reliance on winter tourism have presented unique challenges.

The first COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the province of Tyrol on 25 February 2020. Austria was one of the first European countries to report cases, and the government's initial reaction was to act unilaterally.

On 29 January, Austria suspended all flights to China. On 10 March, the authorities closed the border with Italy for travel-related purposes, and the following day, they banned gatherings of more than five people. Border controls with almost all neighbouring countries were introduced, and schools and universities were closed, except for grocery stores, pharmacies, post offices, and a few other critical institutions. Social distancing and self-isolation were mandated for the general public, with only three exceptions: system-relevant work (e.g., police, medical personnel), shopping, and assisting the most vulnerable. Restaurants, bars, and cafes were closed, and police patrolled the streets to ensure compliance with restrictions.

In April, the authorities introduced compulsory face masks in all groceries, shops, and public transport. The government extended domestic restrictions until the end of April but also announced plans to reopen non-essential stores gradually. Chancellor Kurz introduced a step-by-step timetable to ease the lockdown and revive the economy, starting with non-essential stores on 14 April, followed by malls, shops, and hair salons on 1 May. All public events were banned until July 2020.

To mitigate the socio-economic effects of the pandemic, the government introduced a €38 billion package covering short-time work agreements, compensation payments, and social security and tax contributions. Unemployment rose sharply during the crisis, with a 4.7% increase in the national unemployment rate in March 2020 compared to the previous year.

In October 2020, Austria faced a second wave of infections, and the government tightened restrictions once again. A "light" lockdown was announced on 31 October, followed by a "hard" lockdown on 17 November, which included the closure of shops, museums, and schools. This lockdown was eased on 8 February 2021, with the reopening of schools, museums, and shops under strict safety protocols.

A national mass testing programme was implemented, along with an FFP2 mask mandate and a vaccination campaign that began in January 2021. However, supply shortages delayed the vaccination drive.

The Austrian government's response has been generally well-received, with polls indicating that the public perceives the actions as proportionate and adequate. The country's timely, transparent, and bold leadership, coupled with efficient coordination between various stakeholders, has been credited for the successful containment of the outbreak.

The Austrian public's response to COVID-19

The Austrian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was largely well-received by the Austrian public, with restrictions being accepted by about 95% of the population. The government's approach was to act swiftly and decisively, with the first COVID-19 law being released on 15 March 2020, followed by further laws, orders, and regulations.

The government introduced dramatic restrictions, including the closure of all universities and schools, the cancellation of all outdoor events with more than 500 people and all indoor events with more than 100 people, and various travel restrictions. A ban was also announced on public gatherings of more than five people, and all restaurants and shops not selling essential goods were closed. The population was instructed that they could only leave their homes for the following reasons:

• Necessary professional activities
• Necessary purchases (groceries or medication)
• Assisting other people
• Activities outside, alone or with people from the same household

The Austrian government conducted regular press conferences to inform the public, and the media played a significant role in distributing information about COVID-19. Numerous newspaper articles, broadcasts on the internet, television, and radio were used to alert the population about the seriousness of the situation. The vast amount of information, sometimes with contradictory messages, may have contributed to some uncertainty among the population.

To protect the public, the government also recommended that people wear masks when entering supermarkets, doctors' offices, public buildings, or public transport. These measures were largely successful, and by April 2020, it seemed that the Austrian response had worked, and the spread of COVID-19 was "under control," with the healthcare system not overwhelmed.

However, there were some challenges during the response, including ensuring a timely supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and getting information about positive test results to treating doctors. There was also a short discussion about installing nationwide tracking systems, but this idea was met with general resistance from the population.

Overall, the Austrian public's response to COVID-19 was characterized by a high level of compliance with government restrictions and a strong reliance on media sources for information. The government's timely, transparent, and bold leadership, coupled with efficient coordination between various institutions, stakeholders, and experts, contributed to the successful containment of the COVID-19 outbreak in Austria.

The impact of COVID-19 on Austria's economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Austria's economy, which is the 26th largest economy in the world, with a GDP of $447 billion in 2019. The country witnessed one of the highest incident rates of the pandemic, with over 10,700 cases by the end of March 2020. The Austrian government implemented a series of measures to curb the spread of the virus, including lockdowns, social distancing, restrictions on gatherings and travel, and the closure of non-essential businesses. These measures had a significant impact on various sectors of the economy.

One of the most affected sectors was tourism and leisure, which contributes more than 15% to Austria's GDP. The restrictions on travel and the closure of ski resorts and accommodation facilities led to a significant decline in revenue for tourism operators. The aviation industry was also severely impacted, with Austrian Airlines suspending all its operations in the country for a period.

The manufacturing sector was disrupted due to supply chain interruptions, particularly from Italy and China. Companies such as Magna International Inc. and Pierer Mobility were forced to shut down their manufacturing plants temporarily. The construction sector also experienced a slowdown, with reduced economic activities and increased unemployment.

The trade sector was affected as well, as Germany and Italy, Austria's main trading partners, were heavily impacted by the pandemic. The transport of goods to locked-down areas in Italy was restricted, and the Czech Republic, another important trading partner, closed its borders to travellers from Austria.

To support businesses and employees, the Austrian government announced a financial aid program of more than $41 billion. The government provided credit guarantees, bridging loans, tax deferrals, and support for short-time work models and childcare. The direct measurable support summed up to more than $4 billion, or 1% of GDP.

The pandemic also impacted the employment market, with a significant increase in unemployment. According to the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS), there were around 504,300 unemployed people in April 2020, a 52.5% increase compared to the same month in the previous year.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on Austria's economy, leading to reduced economic growth, disruptions in various sectors, and increased unemployment. The country's strong ties to Central, Eastern, and Southeastern European countries, which had previously shielded the economy, could not protect it from the widespread impact of the pandemic.

The impact of COVID-19 on Austria's healthcare system

Austria's healthcare system has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the second wave of infections that hit the country in autumn 2020. The federal government implemented a series of lockdowns and other restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, which had a substantial effect on the healthcare sector.

Lockdowns and restrictions

In response to rising infection numbers, the Austrian government imposed a “light” lockdown in early November 2020, which included a curfew during the night and the closure of restaurants, leisure facilities, and museums. This was followed by a “hard” lockdown from November 17, with even stricter measures such as the closure of all non-essential shops and schools. A third “hard” lockdown was announced on December 18, 2020, and took effect on December 26, with all-day curfews and tight contact restrictions.

Intensive care units

During the second wave, more than half of Austria's intensive care units (ICU) beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, with up to 60% of ICU beds and about half of normal hospital beds being occupied at the peak in November. This put a significant strain on the healthcare system, leading to concerns about the availability of residential care.

Testing and vaccination

To control the pandemic, the government introduced mass testing campaigns and made it mandatory to show a negative COVID-19 test for services where social distancing could not be maintained. A national vaccination campaign was launched in January 2021, but supply shortages delayed the process.

Long-term care

The pandemic also disrupted long-term care in Austria, particularly the '24-hour care' model, which relies on migrant live-in carers. Border closures at the beginning of the pandemic posed challenges for this model, as carers were unable to travel into the country. The federal government provided financial support and arranged chartered flights to bring carers into Austria.

Mental health of healthcare workers

The mental health of healthcare workers has also been impacted by the pandemic. A survey of over 20,000 Austrian employees conducted in May 2020 found that 46% of care professionals reported their job as mentally stressful, and only 38% thought they would reach pension age in their sector.

Travel restrictions and border controls in Austria during COVID-19

Austria implemented several travel restrictions and border controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country advised against all unnecessary trips, especially vacation trips, and imposed mandatory quarantine for those entering the country. Here is an overview of the measures:

Travel Restrictions

From June 15, 2020, people entering Austria from the Schengen area and select European countries (Andorra, Bulgaria, Ireland, Croatia, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, Vatican City, the United Kingdom, and Cyprus) had to provide a medical certificate in German or English showing a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. This certificate could not be older than four days at the time of entry. As an alternative to the test, individuals could opt for a 14-day self-monitored home quarantine or quarantine in suitable accommodation.

Austria also imposed entry restrictions for third-country nationals, who were only allowed to enter if they were travelling from specific countries with a stable COVID-19 situation or were residents of those countries. These included Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Uruguay.

Border Controls

Austria tightened border controls with all neighbouring countries, stating that non-essential travel should be avoided during the pandemic. This included enhanced measures at land borders and the extension of temporary border controls with several countries, including Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, and Denmark.

Additional Measures

Austria implemented other measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including mandatory mask-wearing in indoor public areas and on public transportation. Social distancing of at least one meter, later increased to two meters, was also mandated in public places. Events and gatherings were restricted, with a maximum of 100 people outdoors and 10 people indoors.

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