An overview of the 2G rule: This applies from Monday

Where previously one of the 3G (vaccinated, recovered, tested) had to be met as a prerequisite for entry, only 2G – vaccinated or recovered – will be recognized from November 8th. This applies to customers or visitors in restaurants, hotels, sports, culture, hospitals, nursing homes, and for events with more than 25 people. There is a four-week transition period – during this time an initial vaccination plus a PCR test are still valid.

As of Monday, the FFP2 mask requirement will be introduced again nationwide in all shops, libraries and museums. The province of Upper Austria took this step last Friday. From then on, wearing mouth and nose protection is no longer sufficient nationwide.

• Green passport is only valid for nine months

The Green Pass will only be valid for nine months from the second vaccination instead of twelve. Then the third vaccination is necessary. In the case of vaccination with the vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, the validity of the Green Passport will expire on 3 January 2022.

• No more exit controls from the districts

Due to the nationwide tightening of the corona measures and the announced increased controls, the federal high incidence decree will be repealed. That means, from then on there will no longer be controls at individual district borders. This frees up personnel resources for 2G and mask controls or contact tracing.

• 2G obligation at events

For events with more than 50 participants, there is an obligation to notify the authorities. If there are more than 250 participants, a permit is required.

• 2.5G rule at work in Upper Austria

While the federal government stipulates 3G as the minimum requirement for protective measures at the workplace, Upper Austria will introduce even stricter measures from Monday with its own regulation announced on Friday. In Upper Austria, employees in the aforementioned areas, such as catering, hotels, service providers – with a transitional period – must then fulfill 2.5G (only PCR, no rapid test) instead of 3G (but not in industry).