German ski vacationers affected: Austria tightened entry rules because of Omikron

Created: 12/20/2021, 10:49 AM

By: Patrick Huljina

If you want to go on a skiing holiday to Austria over Christmas, you have to be prepared for new entry rules.

Due to the Omikron variant, this has been tightened.

Vienna - Omikron has already caused the corona numbers to rise rapidly in Great Britain and Denmark.

The two countries reported multiple records for new infections in the past few days.

In Austria only 75 Omikron cases have been confirmed so far.

Nevertheless, the development is being watched with concern - and we are preparing for a new wave in January.

Omikron: Austria massively tightens corona entry rules - German ski vacationers affected

In order to curb the spread of the Omikron variant, Austria is introducing stricter corona entry rules.

These apply from next Monday, December 20, as the Ministry of Health announced on Friday (December 17) in Vienna.

The new rules should also affect many German ski vacationers who wanted to travel to the neighboring country in the coming weeks.

The new entry rules in Austria also affect ski vacationers.

(Symbol picture) © Philipp von Ditfurth / dpa

Accordingly, until further notice, only people who have valid 2G proof are allowed to enter the Alpine republic.

In concrete terms, this means that you have to have been vaccinated three times or have recovered.

Those who do not have a booster vaccination must then submit a PCR test.

Travelers who do not have a booster vaccination or a valid PCR test must be quarantined.

The home quarantine should only be ended if a PCR test was carried out after entry and a negative result was confirmed.

Stricter corona entry rules in Austria: "Necessary to counteract Omikron"

“These stricter entry regulations bring with them great challenges, especially for people who travel abroad over the Christmas holidays.

However, they are necessary at this point in time in order to counteract the spread of Omikron in Austria, "said Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens).

Exempt from the 2G proof are pregnant women and people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons.

The reason for the exception must be proven by a medical certificate.

There are also special rules for children.

School-age children are allowed to enter the country with sufficient test evidence, which means around three tests per week.

The rules do not affect children under the age of twelve either.

For commuters, the usual 3G rule remains.

Austria is loosening the corona lockdown for unvaccinated people over Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Experts in Germany are also concerned about the spread of the Omikron variant.