Austria becomes a risk area and plans lockdown – what that means for vacationers

The corona numbers are increasing dramatically in Austria.

The seven-day incidence on Thursday was 751, three times as high as it is currently in Germany. The number of hospitalizations is also increasing among the neighbors. It is now clear: in the night from Sunday to Monday, a large part of Austria will be declared a high-risk area. Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn had confirmed such considerations during a press conference.

The regions Mittelberg, Jungholz, Rissal, Vomp and Eben am Achensee are not affected, as the Robert Koch Institute in its updated Risikobvaluation for travel writes.

In addition, the Czech Republic and Hungary are also classified as high-risk areas. The Czech Republic recently achieved a 7-day incidence of 595, which is twice the level as in Germany. The situation in Hungary is similar. The authorities recently reported 455 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants. There, too, the hospitalization rate is increasing sharply.

Austria wants lockdown for unvaccinated people from Monday

In Austria, a lockdown for unvaccinated people is to be introduced in the fight against the corona pandemic. Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein confirmed that the lockdown should initially apply in Upper Austria and Salzburg from Monday.

Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg had previously announced that in view of the steep rise in the number of infections, further measures will be decided – this weekend. Mückstein confirmed that the main committee of the National Council wants to discuss a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people on Sunday evening.

The measure also applies from Monday to vacationers who are in Salzburg and Upper Austria. The main committee of the National Council decides which restrictions should apply in public life. There is a strict exit restriction in the conversation.

There may also be an entry and accommodation ban for unvaccinated holidaymakers in exactly these areas from Monday.

Austria from Sunday high-risk area: who has to be in quarantine?

All people who come from high-risk areas and are unvaccinated must be in quarantine.

Unvaccinated and unrecognized German citizens who come from these high-risk areas can interrupt the isolation with a quick test after five days. If you come from virus variant areas, the quarantine applies – without interruption – for 14 days.

Before entering from high-risk areas and virus variant areas, unvaccinated persons must also fill out a digital entry form. Compliance with the quarantine is checked by the local law enforcement officers and the health authorities.

Who doesn’t have to be in quarantine?

Fully vaccinated and proven recoveries do not need to be quarantined. When entering the country, however, they must present their vaccination and convalescence certificates, including identification documents, at any border controls. They also have to fill out the entry form. Those affected can find this here.

FOCUS Online advises: Download the CovPass app, store all evidence digitally on your smartphone. We show you exactly how this works here.

The federal police and the border guards carry out random checks.

What are the consequences of the new risk assessment?

FOCUS Online prophesies: The prices for train and bus journeys from Austria to Germany are skyrocketing with immediate effect. Many holidaymakers could now leave popular holiday regions earlier in order to avoid the quarantine. The price of petrol and diesel per liter could also rise at national borders.

You can find all current travel warnings here on the website of the Foreign Office.

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