The Austrian government on Monday decided to implement a range of new measures, including making masks compulsory at all indoor and outdoor events and limiting groups. 

From midnight on Friday, October 23rd, masks will be compulsory in all indoor and outdoor events in Austria, Kurier reported on Monday. 

What you need to know about Austria's new lockdown measures 

The new restrictions were put in place at a meeting on Monday morning. 

A maximum of six people are allowed indoors without assigned seating, with the respective number outdoors raised to 12. 

Children do not count towards the tally. 

This is at all publicly-accessible gatherings – it includes public parks and fitness studios.

Can I invite people around – and if so how many?

In short, the maximum number is six. If you do invite more than six over, you will be breaching the limit – although you won't be getting in trouble with the police anytime soon. 

While the maximum number of people at private gatherings has been set at six, this is only a voluntary requirement.

Private gatherings have a 'voluntary' limit of six people – even in private homes. Kurz told the media on Monday that the requirement in private homes was not legally enforceable at this stage. 

“The legal regulation is very clear. Noise pollution is one reason that the police can take action, but the meeting alone cannot,” Kurz said. 

Police will not issue citations for breaching the limit in public homes, Kurz confirmed. 

Kurz appealed to the ‘common sense’ of Austrians in adhering to the measures. 

“It will be a challenging few months, but the more we stick together and the more each individual participates, the better we will get through this phase.”