As early as Monday, December 20, 2021, Austria's Minister of Health Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) will tighten the entry regulations. In the future, 2G will apply, whereby a negative PCR test must also be submitted without evidence of a booster vaccination. There are exceptions for schoolchildren and commuters.

Specifically, entry into Austria is only possible for all persons with valid 2G proof. In addition, a valid PCR test (72 hours) must be presented if no booster vaccination can be detected. If an additional PCR test or the booster vaccination cannot be proven, entry is possible, but after entry an immediate home quarantine must be started. This is only ended when a PCR test has been carried out after entry and a negative result has been confirmed. In this case, registration through pre-travel clearance is also mandatory. 

Pregnant women and people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons are exempt from the requirement for 2G evidence and the additional PCR test or booster vaccination. The reason for the exception must be proven by a medical certificate. Another exception applies to people of school age, regardless of citizenship: This group of people may enter with a ninja pass or an equivalent. Children under the age of 12 are also excluded, but like their adult companion must be in quarantine or register.

If neither vaccination nor recovery can be proven, quarantine must be started immediately after entry. According to the Ministry of Health, this applies to all people who live in Austria or want to go on vacation here, for example. The isolation lasts ten days, whereby free testing by means of PCR is possible from the fifth day. In this case, the PTC must be completed.

“These stricter entry regulations bring with them great challenges, especially for people who travel abroad over the Christmas holidays. However, they are necessary at this point in time in order to counteract the spread of Omikron in Austria. This is the only way we can maintain the current epidemiological relaxation in Austria in the best possible way, ”emphasizes Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein.

In addition to the stricter entry regulations, the states of Angola, Zambia and Malawi are also added to the list of virus variant areas. People who travel to Austria from these countries must, after registering via the pre-travel clearance, commence a 10-day quarantine, whereby a free test is only possible from the fifth day. For non-stop flights from these countries there is also a landing ban at all Austrian airports. There will be another exception for commuters: the usual 3G rule will remain in place. The PTC system is used to check the implementation of and compliance with the quarantine regulations (e.g. through follow-up calls by the health authorities, controls). The health authorities randomly check compliance with the quarantine, if necessary with the help of the public security service.