Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

TRAVEL NEWS

Austria becomes high-risk area for travel to Germany

Germany has moved Austria into a higher risk category for Covid-19, meaning that from Sunday, unvaccinated people travelling from Austria to Germany will have to quarantine for ten days on arrival.

Published: 14 November 2021 10:34 CET
Destinations are pictured on an airport departures board
From Sunday, anyone travelling to Germany from Austria must go into quarantine. picture alliance/dpa | Sebastian Gollnow

The change in categorisation came as a result of Austria’s high case numbers: it reported 13,152 new infections on Saturday and 48 deaths associated with Covid-19.

This chart from Our World in Data shows sharply rising case levels in Austria.

Germany’s national health body, the Robert Koch Institute, has recategorised the country as a “new high-risk area”. 

It describes these as areas at particularly high risk of infection due to a particularly high incidence of spread of the virus.

The Czech Republic and Hungary were also moved into this category on Sunday.

The new rules came into force at midnight on Sunday, 14th November and apply to the whole of Austria, apart from the municipalities of Mittelberg and Jungholz and Rißtal in the district of Vomp and Eben am Achensee.

This means that anyone travelling from Austria to Germany who is not fully vaccinated/recovered from the virus will have to quarantine for ten days, with the possibility of doing an early-release test from the fifth day.

And nor are children exempt. All children under the age of twelve have to quarantine for five days on arrival in Germany from Austria.

Nationwide lockdown
It’s all change in Austria at the moment: a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people (excluding the under-12s) is expected to be given the go-ahead on Sunday to start on Monday.

READ ALSO: Austria plans new Covid lockdown for the unvaccinated

Government and state and heads are meeting for online crisis talks on Sunday to discuss this, with details expected at the press conference around midday.

Residents who don’t have proof of 2G – i.e. vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 – will only be able to leave their homes for essential shopping, to go to work or for medical reasons.

Children under the age of twelve are exempt from this.

Vienna has also tightened its restrictions, with the introduction of ‘2G+’, compulsory mask-wearing in more indoor spaces and vaccinations for children over five.

READ ALSO: Key points: New Covid rules for Salzburg and Upper Austria

Member comments

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

FLOODS

Roads, rail and the Vienna Metro: What’s the state of Austria’s transport services?

Flooding has hit Austria hard, leaving many roadways impassable, metro services partially suspended, and river boats stranded in Vienna. Here's what you need to know on Monday.

Published: 16 September 2024 16:53 CEST
Roads, rail and the Vienna Metro: What's the state of Austria's transport services?

The severe flooding across Austria caused by the relentless rainfall over the weekend and on Monday has wreaked havoc on the nation’s transport systems, leaving commuters and travellers scrambling to adapt. 

The storm’s effects are being felt nationwide, from disrupted metro services in Vienna to closed motorways and suspended rail services.

Vienna metro network hit hard

The capital’s metro system, Wiener Linien, has been particularly affected, with several vital lines running with severe restrictions. Water levels on the Vienna River and Danube Canal have fluctuated, requiring constant flood protection efforts.

READ ALSO: Weather forecast: When will the torrential rain in Austria stop?

As a result, services on the U4, U6, U3, and U2 lines were partially suspended. While the U6 could only operate between Floridsdorf and Westbahnhof and between Meidling and Siebenhirten, the U4 was limited to the section between Heiligenstadt and Friedensbrücke. Similarly, the U3 was running from Ottakring to Schlachthausgasse, leaving Simmering without service, and the U2 was restricted to running between Seestadt and Taborstraße.

Wiener Linien has indicated that normal operations may not resume until mid-week, as flood protection measures like dam beams and sandbags were still in place. 

Depending on how the rain and water levels develop, additional delays or restrictions are possible. Commuters should check for updates via the WienMobil app or the operator’s website.

Nationwide rail and road chaos

Floods have also affected Austria’s national railway, ÖBB, with delays and cancellations expected to persist until at least Thursday, September 19th. 

The ÖBB issued travel warnings urging passengers to avoid non-essential journeys, and some major routes were suspended entirely.

READ ALSO: What’s the cause of Austria’s ‘unprecedented’ rainfall and flooding?

On the western rail line between Vienna and Linz, services were halted on Monday and Tuesday due to flooding, leaving WESTbahn passengers unable to travel. Although WESTbahn tickets were temporarily accepted on ÖBB trains between Vienna and Salzburg, travellers were asked to prepare for disruptions and extended journey times.

The situation on the roads isn’t much better. While some motorway closures have been lifted, others remained, particularly in Lower Austria, where almost 300 roads were currently impassable. Drivers are advised to avoid travel where possible and to check local road conditions before setting off.

You can see a list of all road closures HERE.

Boats and river cruises stranded

The flooding has as would be expected hit travel on Austria’s waterways. In Vienna, a Swiss river cruise ship, the Thurgau Prestige, remained docked, with its passengers unable to disembark due to high water levels. 

Since Saturday, 102 passengers and 40 crew members had been stranded on board. 

Authorities have not yet confirmed when it will be safe for them to leave the ship.

READ ALSO: Floods latest: Two men found dead in their homes in Lower Austria

Pedestrians also impacted

Even walking in some areas of Austria has been made dangerous by the storms. In Vienna, public parks were closed to reduce the risk of falling trees, while footpaths and public spaces were at risk of water damage or further flooding. 

Residents are being urged to stay indoors where possible.

READ NEXT: Do workers in Austria have the right to stay at home amid floods crisis?

SHOW COMMENTS