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COVID-19 TESTS

Reader question: Where can I get tested for Covid-19 in Austria?

Since the beginning of May, street testing sites have no longer been available - and free antigen tests are becoming harder to find in Austrian pharmacies. So, what should you do if you suspect you have Covid or need a test?

Published: 3 May 2023 14:38 CEST
Reader question: Where can I get tested for Covid-19 in Austria?
A positive Covid-19 test. (Photo by DAMIEN MEYER / AFP)

In theory, the Austrian Health Ministry’s instructions for dealing with a possible Covid-19 infection are quite simple: stay at home, reduce contacts, wear an FFP2 mask if necessary, and call the health hotline 1450.

Then, an infection would be confirmed via a test sent by the health hotline or, according to the ministry, after using a test in one of the so-called Teststraße, specific locations dedicated to offering the free Covid-19 tests, either via a swab in the nose or mouth.

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Austria in May 2023

However, in practice, implementing these guidelines is proving to be difficult in Austria. At the end of April, all test lanes and gargle boxes were discontinued, which has made it challenging for individuals to get tested for Covid-19. When calling the health hotline, many employees say they are overloaded and have no more testing capacity, according to Austrian media reports.

Even in pharmacies, the stocks of antigen or PCR tests are going down every day. The offer for five free antigen tests per person per month was extended until June 30th, but supplies have been low for weeks, according to Austrian pharmacists.

The demand for testing is high, given the current infection numbers. On average, around 650 new infections are reported every day, with the number of unreported cases increasing from day to day, as shown by a comparison with the figures from wastewater monitoring, Der Standard reported.

READ ALSO: Reader question: Do I still have to wear a face mask due to Covid-19 rules in Austria?

How can I get tested in Austria?

Despite the difficulties, every month, in addition to the five rapid antigen tests – if you can get hold of them at a pharmacy – each person is also entitled to five free PCR tests. However, how to get them varies from state to state in Austria.

In Vienna, as part of the “Everyone gargles!” campaign, Viennese citizens can pick up five gargle tests at all Bipa stores. The sample can then be returned to one of the collection points (including Rewe stores, gas stations, and participating pharmacies).

The free PCR tests can also be done in pharmacies all over Austria, which seems to work well. Viennese people can split the five free PCR tests, taking about two tests in pharmacies and doing three “Alles gurgelt!” tests, for example.

READ ALSO: Austria to drop all Covid restrictions by the end of June

To simplify the process of getting tested for Covid-19, registering for a PCR test at the pharmacy at oesterreich-testet.at can help shorten and streamline the process.

However, many testing sites also offer testing without pre-registration.

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For members

COVID-19 RULES

Reader question: Do I still have to wear a face mask due to Covid-19 rules in Austria?

Most of the pandemic restrictions have been lifted in Austria, but some, including the mandatory use of FFP2 face masks in specific settings, remain. Here's what you need to know - and when all measures will be lifted.

Published: 21 April 2023 11:33 CEST
Reader question: Do I still have to wear a face mask due to Covid-19 rules in Austria?

Austria has gone through the coronavirus pandemic with strict restrictions, including lockdowns and even contact rules among people. However, after almost three years, the Alpine Republic seems to be “over” the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Austria’s Corona-Ampel, the “traffic-light” analysis that measures the system risk in the country, the whole of Austria is rated as very low risk – Burgenland and Vienna provinces are rated as low risk. Systemic risk is measured as the risk of overloading the healthcare system with Covid-19 patients, according to the federal government.

There are practically no restrictions related to the pandemic in daily life, significantly since the capital Vienna dropped the FFP2 mask mandate in its public transport. However, masks are still mandatory throughout Austria in the “health sector” (Gesundheitsbereich) and there are other restrictions for those who test positive for Covid-19.

Here’s a summary of the rules and when they are expected to drop.

READ ALSO:  What you need to know before travelling to Austria in spring 2023

Mask mandate

People in Austria are still required to wear an FFP2 mask when they are in “health sector” establishments. This includes, according to the government, “hospitals and convalescent homes, elderly and nursing homes and places where health and care services are provided”.

If you visit your house doctor, for example, you will be required to wear a mask and might be asked to leave and buy one if you are not wearing it. However, many The Local readers have already spotted several people (and even doctors) without masks in offices and ambulatories. 

Despite that, masks are technically still mandatory until the requirement drops on May 1st.  

There will be no mask requirement from May in hospitals, nursing homes, and doctor’s offices. However, people in risk groups will be able to take time off work if they feel they would not be adequately protected at the workplace (and working from home is not an option) – this will be valid until the end of April.

READ ALSO: The essential articles to read if you are moving to Vienna

‘Traffic light restrictions’

The other restriction still ongoing in Austria applies only to those who test positive for Covid-19. 

Positively tested persons do not have to be quarantined and, provided they do not feel ill, can broadly participate in public life. 

According to federal regulations, these persons are subject to so-called traffic restrictions and a general FFP2 mask requirement. In addition, there are entry bans for particularly sensitive areas, such as visiting a hospital patient.

For persons with a positive antigen or PCR test result, a 10-day “traffic restriction” applies. After five days, it is possible to test free with a negative test result or a CT value above 30. 

A prerequisite for participation in public life during the “traffic restriction” period is the continuous wearing of an FFP2 mask. Positively tested persons must wear the FFP2 mask outside their own living area in all enclosed spaces and on public transport. In addition, if a minimum distance of two metres cannot be maintained outdoors or persons from outside the household are visiting, an FFP2 mask must also be worn here.

READ ALSO: Long Covid: What support is available in Austria?

In order to protect particularly sensitive areas, persons who have tested positive are prohibited from entering healthcare facilities, residential facilities for the elderly and disabled, kindergartens or elementary schools.

Positively tested persons who do not feel ill or have no symptoms may work with FFP2 masks – except for Viennese public employees working in sensitive areas. Those who do feel well can take sick leave just as with any other sickness.

From July, however, even these restrictions will end with the expiration of the Covid Measures Act. Covid-19 will no longer be a notifiable disease, so people who test positive won’t have to follow any particular protocol.

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