Bad times have occurred for smokers at Vienna-Schwechat Airport, because the airport had to close all “smoking chambers” due to the latest Covid-19 regulation of the Austrian government. However, this also has side effects, because, for example, illegal use of the toilet facilities can be observed from time to time.

In countries like Greece or Ukraine, the zones where smoking is allowed were closed at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. These are still open in Germany, Italy, Malta and other countries. There is one restriction at Luqa Airport, however, as only those on the terraces of the security area are open. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the “smoke chambers” are also used by staff as a “mask-free zone”.

In Austria, the federal government decided to temporarily close the chambers in which smoking was allowed until the end by means of the latest ordinance. Vienna Airport had to comply with this instruction, so that smokers are now standing in front of locked “chambers”. This is only indicated immediately beforehand, because the pictograms have not been removed or at least covered.

According to the ground staff employed at the airport, the measure has an unpleasant side effect for all passengers, because one or the other smoker should simply use the toilet. According to reports, the quota of “illegal toilet smokers” should be the highest among those transferring, because “entering” briefly, smoking outdoors and then through the security check again is not feasible for many due to the entry and quarantine regulations. As long as you stay in the transit area, you are spared the regulations of Federal Minister Rudolf Anschober. From formal entry onwards, the latest entry regulations of the politician who belongs to the “The Greens” party apply.