Austria changes rules for entry into the country: all passengers must test negative for a PCR test!
As of December 20, the lockdown period will end in Austria, with the capital Vienna being the last part of the country to reopen its hotels and restaurants. At the same time Austria has reopened its borders for tourism, but with new rules.
From 20 December, all passengers traveling to Austria must test negative for a PCR test not older than 72 hours, including those vaccinated with two doses. Only those who have received the booster dose are exempted from this measure.
"From December 20, you also need a PCR test, unless you have already received the booster dose. If you are unable to present a PCR test on arrival, you must self-isolate immediately until you can present a negative PCR test.".
From 20 December 2021, entry into the territory of the Republic of Austria will be permitted with the presentation of the following documents:
- For people vaccinated with full schedule + booster dose: a vaccination certificate with an authorized serum and proof of booster dose;
- For people vaccinated with the full schedule, but without booster dose: a certificate of vaccination with an authorized serum and the negative result of a PCR test for infection with the SARS CoV-2 virus, the validity of which does not exceed 72 hours from the date sampling;
- For cured persons: a document attesting to the infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the last 180 days prior to entry and for which a medical certificate of cure and the negative result of a test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, type PCR, the validity of which does not exceed 72 hours from the date of sampling.
Vaccinated or cured individuals who do not test negative for a PCR test for SARS CoV-2 infection or proof of a 3rd dose / booster are given a quarantine measure for 10 days. The quarantine measure may be terminated as soon as the person tested negative for a SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.
People who do not meet any of the above conditions must register through the Pre Travel Clearance - PTC platform (https://entry.ptc.gv.at/en.html) and will be quarantined for a period of 10 days. The quarantine measure may be terminated in advance, starting on the fifth day, if the person concerned shows a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.
The following categories of persons are exempted from the new measures:
- minors up to 12 years of age;
- persons who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and who provide supporting documents to that effect;
- pregnant women, members of the staff of diplomatic missions, consular posts or international organizations, as well as their family members with whom they live in the same household).
The MFA informs that the new measures do not change the transit conditions and that, depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Austrian authorities may take additional measures.