From May 19, 2021, entry into Austria is to be significantly simplified. Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) announced that the classification of the states includes not only EU members, but also third countries. You don't make a difference, said the government member during a press conference.

Mückstein announced that there will be three categories of countries of origin in the future: safe states, risk areas and virus variant areas. According to the Minister of Health, only Brazil, South Africa and India are currently classified in the latter class. Those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered from these areas also have to present a negative PCR test upon entry. This is followed by a ten-day quarantine, from which you can “free yourself” after five days.

According to Wolfgang Mückstein, there will be no requirements for those who have been vaccinated or recovered from the so-called “safe states”. They can enter Austria without quarantine with appropriate proof. The status can be documented, for example, with the vaccination certificate or a medical document from which the recovery is evident. People who do not meet both criteria can enter the country without being segregated if they present a negative antigen or PCR result.

Coming from the so-called risk areas, only vaccinated and convalescent people will be able to enter without quarantine. Mückstein said explicitly that "just a negative test result will not be sufficient here". However, the precise details have not yet been finalized. The ordinance is to be published in the Federal Law Gazette in the next few days.

First vaccination is valid for three months as an "entry ticket"

Regarding the validity of the vaccinations, the Austrian Minister of Health said that it was stipulated that the interval between the first vaccination and the booster should not exceed three months. To put it simply: After the initial sting, you are considered vaccinated for three months and are therefore exempt from the obligation to test. If you fail to have the second vaccination, you lose your vaccinated status.

Wolfgang Mückstein did not comment on how this is handled with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, because with this agent only one vaccination is provided. He also did not say how long the so-called full immunization will release the test obligations. In parliament the member of the government said a few days ago that about half a year is planned, as it is assumed that refreshments will then be necessary. The exemption from the obligation to test occurs three weeks after the first stitch.

An extensive registration requirement, which does not only apply to the catering trade, is also being introduced. Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) said that this will apply in all areas where you stay longer than 15 minutes. This is intended to facilitate contact tracing. This also means that registration is required in airport lounges.

Kurz wants to gradually abolish the mask requirement

Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) does not assume that the openings and easier entry will lead to "another dramatic situation in the hospitals". By “July 1, 2021 at the latest! all areas that will not be opened as of May 19, 2021 should also be released. This is especially true for larger events. However, the head of government does not want to give an exact date.

Sebastian Kurz wants to gradually lift the mask requirement. Initially, this should apply “only in certain areas” that he did not specify in detail and then be completely repealed. As of May 19, 2021, there will be no relief with regard to the FFP2 mask requirement.