With immediate effect, the City of Vienna is offering free corona tests for everyone who has returned from a trip. It doesn't matter whether you were in a risk area or a non-risk zone or within Austria. The tests are carried out in front of the Ernst Happel Stadium.

The offer is aimed at people residing in Vienna. Officially, the registration form, an identification document and the e-card must be taken with you. In practice, however, it turned out that the e-card and verbal information about the Viennese residence address were completely sufficient. Evidence of the whereabouts of the trip is also not required. You only have to verbally state the state in which you have been staying. If you were traveling within Austria, you specify the federal state that should not be Vienna. There are no costs for the test and, provided there is no waiting time, the matter is settled within two to three minutes. 

With the offer of free tests for people with their main residence in Vienna, the City of Vienna intends to find significantly more asymptomatic cases and thus to contain the further spread of the virus. The town hall writes that in the last few days around 3.948 returnees from Croatia have taken the free tests and so far 68 samples have been positive. All are said to have been asymptomatic. This means that those tested did not even notice that they were carrying Covid-19.

How do you get a free corona test?

According to the information provided by the City of Vienna, which bears the costs, the offer is aimed at people with their main residence in Vienna who have been on vacation in Switzerland or abroad. It is expressly not necessary to have been in a high-risk zone to be able to take advantage of the free offer, which is unlimited in time. You should only return after August 14, 2020, but on the spot you will only be asked in which state or federal state you have been and no more and no less.

The e-card must be presented on site. Upon request, an identification document (e.g. passport or driver's license) and the registration form proving a place of residence in Vienna must be presented.

How is the test carried out?

The City of Vienna relies on the new "Gurgeltest". This new test method is also considered to be very reliable and, in contrast to the smear, no cotton swabs have to be pushed into the nose and throat. At the test counter, a packaged test liquid is handed over, which you have to gargle for about half a minute and then spit into a test tube using a straw. Then the tube is screwed on and the employee takes it over in a disinfected cloth. The straw and the packaging of the test liquid are thrown into a provided garbage can. Finally, the hands are disinfected. The City of Vienna has both drive-in and walk-in stations in front of the Ernst Happel Stadium. You can stay seated in your own car or come as a pedestrian by public transport or bike.

Who does the testing?

The city of Vienna is the sponsor. The stations are operated jointly on their behalf by the professional rescue service, the professional fire brigade and the Workers' Samaritan Association. The fire brigade took care of the construction and keeps “the technology behind it” in operation, while employees of the two rescue organizations are responsible for the medical care of the test subjects. The samples are evaluated by the Mühl-Speiser laboratory in Vienna, which is also known under the Labors.at brand.

How long does it take to get the result?

According to information provided on site, the Mühl-Speiser laboratory transmits the result to the propandant within a maximum of three working days by SMS and email. For this reason, a telephone number and an email address must be provided. In the event that you have not received anything after this period, a sheet with the responsible telephone numbers of the large laboratory will be given. You should contact them, but only if you haven't received anything after three days.

Who is not allowed to use the tests?

The City of Vienna expressly points out that only people who do not show any COVID-19 symptoms are allowed to come. Anyone who shows symptoms must dial the hotline 1450 and this will initiate testing. The offer is also aimed at people residing in Vienna. However, if you can prove that you have stayed in Vienna for at least four days or intend to do so, you can also be tested free of charge.

And the most important questions for many at the end? Do you have to wear a mask and is the test somehow painful?

Yes, it is mandatory to wear a mask at the test stations. This may not only, but must then be removed during the test. The new gargle test is used. This is absolutely painless and, to put it simply, comparable to gargling a mouthwash after brushing your teeth. So absolutely no pain to be expected for children either. Unfortunately, the test liquid tastes a little bland, but fortunately not disgusting.

Directions for arrival:

The test station is located in Vienna-Leopoldstadt directly in front of the Ernst Happel football stadium. You can use this as a drive-in or walk-in without making an appointment. Unfortunately, no value was placed on good signposting, but the containers, umbrellas and grids (to separate cars and pedestrians) immediately give an idea of ​​where to go.

The easiest way to get public is with the underground line U2, Stadion Stadion, or with the bus lines. Simply drive to the Ernst Happel Stadium or, if you are not familiar with the area, simply enter it into your GPS.

The City of Vienna declares that the tests are carried out every day (Monday to Sunday) from 6:00 a.m. to 21:00 p.m. You don't need an appointment.