The “benchmark” for the new Covid measures that will apply from Wednesday was already reached on Tuesday in Austria: 200 people were cared for in intensive care units. Step 1 of the Corona plan for autumn will come into force on Wednesday. The associated ordinance, which regulates the new measures, was presented very close to the late Monday evening. The most important rules at a glance:
What applies in public transport and in the supermarket?
- In all areas where a mask had to be worn before, normal mouth and nose protection is no longer sufficient from Wednesday. This means that an FFP2 mask must be put on again in public transport, supermarkets, etc.
- This rule applies to everyone regardless of their vaccination status. In buses, trams and trains, as well as in supermarkets, drugstores, post offices, petrol stations and pharmacies, both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons must wear FFP2 masks.
What about the rest of the trade?
- In trade that does not serve daily needs – for example in clothing stores or electronics stores – unvaccinated people are required to wear an FFP2 mask.
- Customers who have been vaccinated or recovered do not have to wear a mask – with the exception of Vienna, where normal mouth and nose protection is sufficient
- Customers must have proof of their stay ready for the duration of their stay.
What applies in discos and bars?
- For night gastronomy, the 3G rule applies again in the current level 1, night owls must be tested, vaccinated or recovered.
- Only PCR tests are accepted as tests.
What if I want to go to the cinema or a concert?
- The 3G rule generally applies in theaters, cinemas and concerts. This means that access is only possible for people who have either been vaccinated, recovered or tested – although self-tests are no longer valid from Wednesday.
- Mouth and nose protection is not necessary for all visitors.
- Organizers can also implement their own corona concepts. For example, at the Vienna Danube Island Festival on the upcoming weekend, access to the premises is only possible with a negative PCR test – regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or not.
How does the church feel about the rules?
- For church services in the Catholic Church, FFP2 masks are again mandatory.
- The 3G rule applies to baptisms, first communions, confirmations and weddings, there is no mask requirement here.
What do I have to consider in museums and galleries?
- Unvaccinated people must wear an FFP2 mask in museums, exhibition halls and galleries from Wednesday. As in retail, this should be randomly checked by the police.
- Vienna is also stricter here and requires all other visitors – including those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered – to wear mouth and nose protection.
Does my child have to obey the rules too?
- What has already applied applies so far: children up to the age of six don’t have to wear masks
- Children under the age of twelve are exempt from 3G rules, Vienna is again the exception here. Here children from six must bring a 3G certificate.
- There are new quarantine rules for school children. Classmates can test themselves free with a PCR test after five days.
How long is which test now?
- Antigen tests are only valid for 24 hours.
- PCR tests are still recognized for 72 hours.
- There are exceptions for schoolchildren, where antigen tests are accepted longer as part of the ninja pass, which is justified by the high test frequency.
What is still unclear
- What happens at stage two? The new regulation only includes the first stage of the government plan. Level two would be more explosive and should be reached very soon with 300 intensive care beds. From then on, 2G is to be established in the aftermarket (and similar places) as well as at major events without assigned seats. This means that a test is then no longer of any use, you have to be vaccinated or have recovered within the last six months. Whether this only applies to customers or also to the staff is not known, as it is in the regulation is not set out.
- Who controls the mask requirement in retail? Do the trading companies have to control the mask requirement, or can they do it if they want – after a dispute between the trade association and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, there is still confusion. The Ministry of Health intervened on Tuesday evening. In principle, customers are obliged to comply with all applicable measures. In addition, the Ministry of Health sees both trade and the police as responsible.
