Lyla Lindsey
Austria has had several lockdowns since the start of the pandemic, with the most recent one ending on the 20th of December 2024. The country has also implemented a nationwide COVID lockdown for unvaccinated people, with the rules varying by region. The lockdown for vaccinated people was lifted three weeks after it was imposed, but unvaccinated Austrians must still remain at home unless they have a valid reason to go out.
What You'll Learn
Lockdown rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated people
Austria has implemented a nationwide COVID lockdown for unvaccinated people, which is expected to last for at least 10 days. The country is dealing with a record-breaking wave of cases, with more than 10,000 people a day being infected. The country's vaccination rate is "shamefully low", with 63% of people fully vaccinated.
Rules for unvaccinated people
People aged 12 and over who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated against COVID will only be allowed to leave their homes for limited reasons, such as:
- Shopping for essentials
- Going to work
- Going for a walk
Unvaccinated people are also barred from cafes, restaurants, hairdressers and ski lifts. Breaking the rules could result in a fine of up to $1,660.
Rules for vaccinated people
Austria ended lockdown restrictions for vaccinated people on 12 December 2021, three weeks after re-imposing strict rules. Theatres, museums and other cultural and entertainment venues were allowed to reopen to the fully vaccinated.
Rules for everyone
FFP2 masks are compulsory in all indoor areas, including the workplace and public transport. The 2-metre social distancing rule also applies.
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Rules for leaving home
During the lockdown, people in Austria are only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons. These include:
- Going to work
- Getting basic necessities, such as groceries
- Visiting the doctor or other healthcare services
- Getting vaccinated or tested for COVID-19
- Satisfying basic religious needs
- Going to school or university
- Caring for persons in need of support or performing family duties
- Taking care of animals or attending official appointments
- Spending time outdoors for physical and mental recreation
When leaving the house, people must adhere to social distancing rules and maintain a distance of at least two meters from those who do not live in the same household. This rule applies in all public places and at the workplace.
In addition, there are restrictions on gatherings. Contact outside of one's household is only permitted with individual and immediate family members or significant others.
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Rules for shops, services and businesses
During the lockdown, all non-essential shops and services must close. This includes hairdressers, beauty salons, bars and restaurants. However, these businesses may continue to operate takeaway services, although the sale of takeaway alcohol is prohibited.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices, banks, gas stations, tobacconists and newsstands are allowed to remain open.
Food may be collected from catering establishments, but beverages may only be sold in sealed containers. These items may not be consumed within 50 metres of the business. Delivery services are also permitted.
Accommodation establishments are affected by the lockdown. Exceptions are made for guests who were already checked in when the lockdown started, they are allowed to stay until the agreed end of their stay. Overnight stays for professional reasons or if there is an urgent need for accommodation are also permitted.
The entire leisure sector is also impacted by the lockdown, from swimming pools to zoos, amusement arcades, amusement parks, indoor playgrounds, dance schools and prostitution establishments.
The lockdown also applies to the entire cultural sector, including theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and libraries.
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Rules for sport and leisure
During the lockdown, all trade, gastronomy, culture, and sports activities were closed down until December 12. After this date, it was planned that activities would reopen for vaccinated and recovered persons, but the lockdown for unvaccinated persons would continue.
The entire leisure sector was affected by the lockdown, including swimming pools, zoos, amusement arcades, amusement parks, indoor playgrounds, dance schools, and prostitution establishments. The lockdown also applied to the entire cultural sector, with theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums, and libraries closing their doors.
Top sporting events were allowed to continue but without spectators. Club sports and outdoor sports facilities were closed, except when used by members of the same household or their caregivers. Skiing was prohibited during the lockdown, and the use of cable cars and rack railroads was only permitted for professional purposes or to cover basic needs.
Rules for Restaurants and Hotels
The entire catering industry was closed, with only company canteens and catering establishments in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and kindergartens remaining open. Food could be collected, but beverages could only be sold in sealed containers and consumed at least 50 meters away from the establishment. Delivery services were still permitted.
Hotels were affected, with only those guests already checked in at the start of the lockdown allowed to stay until the end of their booking. Overnight stays for professional reasons or urgent accommodation needs were also permitted.
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Rules for masks and face coverings
The rules for masks and face coverings in Austria have varied over time and depend on factors such as age, vaccination status, and location. Here is a summary of the rules:
From November 22, 2021, FFP2 masks were mandated in all enclosed indoor areas outside of private spaces. This included the workplace, with exceptions made only if appropriate structural safety precautions were in place, such as partition walls or plexiglass screens. The FFP2 mask rule also applied to public transport and when using motor vehicles with people from outside one's household.
Children up to the age of six were exempt from wearing masks. Children between the ages of seven and 14, as well as pregnant women, were allowed to use simple mouth-nose protection instead of FFP2 masks.
These rules were implemented as part of Austria's nationwide lockdown that aimed to cut community transmission and reduce the number of COVID-19 cases.
In December 2021, Austria ended lockdown restrictions for vaccinated individuals, but unvaccinated individuals were still subject to restrictions and had to remain at home except for specific reasons. Face masks were still required on public transport and inside shops and public spaces.
In schools, masks were compulsory for all school levels, including in school buildings, classrooms, and group rooms.
During the lockdown period, top sporting events were allowed to continue without spectators. For outdoor sports facilities, only household members or closest caregivers were permitted to enter together.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has had several lockdowns since the start of the pandemic. The most recent one, which began on 22 November 2021, was a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people. This lockdown lasted for at least 10 days.
During the lockdown that started on 22 November 2021, vaccinated people could access more venues, services and public places than unvaccinated people. However, restaurants and cafes had to close by 11 pm, and bars and clubs remained closed.
During the lockdown that started on 22 November 2021, unvaccinated people had to stay at home except for specific reasons such as buying groceries, going to the doctor, or exercising. They were also barred from cafes, restaurants, hairdressers, and ski lifts.
Children under 12 did not need to provide a test result or proof of vaccination if they were accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. Teenagers needed to provide proof of full vaccination or proof of recovery within the past 180 days.
During the lockdown that started on 26 December 2020, people were not allowed to leave their homes without a valid reason. Non-essential shops, services, and businesses were forced to close.
