Austria Updates Rules of Entry Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior has published a guide of its updated rules of entry and travel restrictions imposed amid the Coronavirus pandemic, as a way to curb the spread of the disease and contain the situation.
While the authorities of Austria imposed border controls with its neighbours about mid-March, entry from these countries is only allowed at certain border crossings, for a limited list of categories of people, who own the right documentation.
Those wishing to enter Austria must present a medical certificate that shows a negative molecular biological test for SARS-CoV-2 at the port of entry. The certificate must not be older than four days on the moment of entry attempt, while those who are not in possession of such a document will be refused entry.
As per Austrian citizens or persons who have their main or secondary residence or habitual residence in Austria, they can enter the country if they present a negative result for a molecular biological test for SARS-CoV-2. Otherwise, they will need to commit to 14-day self-monitored home quarantine.
Which Categories Are Now Exempt from the Austrian Entry Restrictions?
The list of groups of people that can enter Austria, who do not have their main or secondary residence or habitual residence in the country, remains limited only for those wishing to enter for essential purposes.
Only persons who can prove they belong to one of the categories below /are engaged in one of the following occupations, are permitted to enter Austria:
- Freight traffic
- Commercial traffic (aside from commercial passenger transport)
- Repatriation trips
- Reasons in the family that are particularly worthy of consideration
- Compulsory reasons for animal care in individual cases
- Residents of Vomp-Hinterriss, Mittelberg and Jungholz
- Commuter traffic
- Emergency vehicles
- Persons who are subject to compulsory health insurance in Austria or have a treatment arrangement with an Austrian hospital for medical reasons worthy of special consideration are permitted to enter Austria if this is done in Austria in order to take advantage of essential medical services. An accompanying person is allowed.
- Passengers and drivers of public transport if the means of transport crosses foreign territory on its planned route without a stopover or for individual travellers coming from Austria who cross the foreign territory to reach their destination in Austria.
- Agricultural and forestry sector seasonal workers, as well as nursing and health personnel, are allowed to enter Austria by rail or by bus, provided that the train goes from the starting station to the domestic terminus without further scheduled stops or the bus goes directly from the starting point to the starting point to the ending point without further scheduled stops. A 14-day self-monitored home quarantine is mandatory for this group.
Rules for Transiting Austria
According to the existing rules, passage through Austria without a stopover is permitted provided the departure is ensured. Exceptions are also provided for passengers and drivers of public transport if the transport crosses foreign territory on its planned route without a stopover or for individual travellers coming from Austria who cross the foreign territory to reach their destination in Austria.
“From now on, the small and large Deutsche Eck can also be used for through traffic (transit). However, entry to Germany is only possible when visiting life partners, relatives or on important family occasions. It is not possible to transit through Germany for the purpose of shopping! Interruption of the transit movement is not permitted,” Interior Ministry’s related to the current restrictions points out.
It also notes that transit is permitted for the use of “inner-Austrian tourism”, while the persons entering Germany must carry the following:
- booking confirmations
- invoices
- registration certificates in the case of holiday apartments
Entry Requirements for Entering Austria by Air
Eligible to enter Austria by air, and to remain in the country are the following:
- Austrian citizens and family members
- EU / EEA citizens and family members
- Swiss nationals and family members
- Austrian National Visa holders / Residence Permit
- Holders of a photo ID in accordance with § 95 FPG (i.e. diplomats)
All these persons are required to enter a 14-day self-monitored home quarantine immediately after entering Austria.
Yet, Austrian citizens, EU / EEA citizens, and Swiss citizens who can present a health certificate in German or English, that confirms the molecular biological test for SARS-CoV-2 is negative and that it is not older than four days, they will be exempt from the quarantine requirement.
Entry for Third-Country Nationals
Other third-country nationals are prohibited from entering Austria by air from outside the Schengen area. Exempt are members of the staff of diplomatic missions and family members of these people living in the same household, humanitarian workers, nursing and health personnel, seasonal workers in the “Agriculture and Forestry” sector, transit passengers and people who work in freight transport.
“Third-country nationals arriving from the Schengen area may only be permitted to enter Austria by air if they present a health certificate that confirms that the molecular biological test for SARS-CoV-2 is negative and that it is not older than four days,” the Ministry of Interior notes.
The guidance also points out that if the health certificate cannot be presented, these persons are to be accommodated in suitable accommodation for 14 days, which they are not allowed to leave for this period unless the immediate departure is ensured. If a molecular biological test performed on SARS-CoV-2 during this time is negative, the 14-day accommodation in suitable accommodation can be ended.
This regulation does not apply to the crew of passenger and cargo flights, mission flights, ambulance/rescue flights, repatriation flights as well as transfer flights for aviation personnel, which is repositioned to maintain operations.