Masks are no longer compulsory in Austria

Austria already lifted the last entry rules in the middle of the month. Now the mask requirement is also suspended.

In Austria, the mask requirement to contain the corona pandemic is largely lifted during the summer months.

Mask requirement suspended almost everywhere

“Now the pandemic is giving us a breathing space.” Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) said this in Vienna. So far, FFP2 masks had to be worn in public transport and supermarkets. That changes with immediate effect.

At the same time, Rauch made it clear that the mask requirement would be reinstated if, as expected, the infections rose again in autumn. And: In hospitals and retirement homes, the mask requirement will continue to apply.

Current entry regulations for Austria

As early as May 16th, all entry restrictions imposed for Austria due to the corona pandemic were lifted. The Austrian Ministry of Health decided this on Friday with the new entry regulation, as reported by the “Salzburger Nachrichten”, among others.

Since then, proof of full vaccination or recovery from the corona virus is no longer required to enter Austria. A negative corona test is also no longer necessary. For the first time since the beginning of the corona pandemic, holidaymakers and those returning from travel can enter Austria without any conditions.

What applies when returning from Austria?

Since March 3, Austria has no longer been considered a corona high-risk area. According to the Federal Foreign Office (AA), there is a general obligation for persons aged twelve and over to carry COVID proof when entering Germany. Persons aged twelve and over must have proof of a test or proof of recovery or proof of vaccination when entering Germany. “In principle, COVID tests (antigen tests or PCR tests) may be no more than 48 hours old at the (planned) time of entry,” the AA continues.

Corona restrictions in Austria

Only in very isolated areas in Austria is there still an obligation to wear an FFP2 mask, including – as mentioned above – nursing and medical facilities.

The Corona situation in Austria

In the last few weeks, the number of infections in Austria has fallen continuously. The seven-day incidence on Monday (May 23) was only around 230 new corona infections per 100,000 inhabitants – slightly below the German value of 307. So far, 60.4 percent of people in Austria have received an initial vaccination, 73 1 percent a second vaccination.