SHARE
COPY LINK

COVID-19

What do Austria’s new Covid entry rules mean for children?

UPDATED: Austria's latest tightening of Covid measures means proof of vaccination or recovery is required for venues like restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas, but the rules are slightly different for children.

A vaccine centre at a school in Vienna.
A vaccine centre at a school in Vienna. Photo: ALEX HALADA / AFP

Austria’s strict new rules, which come after the country has seen a sharp rise in Covid cases in recent days, only apply to people who have had the opportunity to get a vaccine.

In most of Austria, the 2G rule applies from the age of 12 and above, but there are specific rules for teenagers aged 12 to 15.

Teenagers in the 12-15 age range can use the ‘Ninja Pass’ to show proof of a negative test result, and will be able to enter 2G venues using this even if they are not fully vaccinated. This is particularly helpful for teens who will soon turn 12 and therefore have not yet had the opportunity to have both jabs.

Vienna is an exception. Here, children from the age of six and up must show an ‘entry test’. For children aged 6-11, this can be proof of full vaccination, recovery, a negative PCR test result no more than 72 hours old or a negative antigen test result no more than 48 hours old. For children aged 12-15, this can be proof of full vaccination, recovery, or a negative PCR test result no more than 48 hours old. 

The new 2G rules do not affect access to Austria’s schools. Schools already have their own “separate control loop”, as the Ministry of Education describes it, which entails extensive PCR testing.

Across the Austrian education system, school children are tested on a regular basis, either with PCR or antigen testing. These rules will be continued.

READ MORE: How will Austria’s Covid rules change on November 8th?

Member comments

  1. We are residents of Spain and are traveling to an Austrian ski resort at the beginning of December with our 13 year old son who has not been vaccinated. We (his parents) have been fully vaccinated.
    What are the rules for our son regarding staying in hotels and using the cable cars in the resort?

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

HEALTH

Tens of thousands of workers in Austria hit by Covid and flu as cases rise

Does it seem like everyone around you in Austria is sick? As it turns out, statistics support your suspicions.

Tens of thousands of workers in Austria hit by Covid and flu as cases rise

Last week, over 110,000 people in Austria were absent from work due to COVID-19, influenza, or flu-like diseases.

Statistics from ÖGK policyholders, Austria’s largest public health insurer, indicated that more than 400 individuals were specifically impacted by influenza (“real flu”), while over 84,000 stayed home due to flu-like symptoms. ÖGK’s chief physician, Andreas Krauter, highlighted a noticeable uptick in sick days via a statement on Monday.

The news comes Austria struggles with 10,000 more COVID-19 infections. than at the same time last year. Several variants of the Omicron strain of the virus are currently under observation by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and with temperatures plummeting, it is thought that a colder winter could further boost cases. 

Austria was a centre of several COVID-19 outbreaks in the early months of the pandemic, and stringent measures were introduced across the country in order to tackle its spread. 

READ MORE: How can I get a Covid or flu vaccine in Austria this autumn?

In his statement, Krauter emphasised the efficacy of masks in offering reliable protection against infection and curtailing further transmission. He particularly stressed the importance of considering this protective measure for individuals with underlying health risks. “For them and everyone else, we recommend vaccination against Covid-19 and influenza. Washing your hands is also important”, he said in a press release.

In total, ÖGK recorded 297,000 individuals afflicted by various illnesses or injuries and registered for sick leave during the last week.

SHOW COMMENTS