All details about the 2G regulation: What applies to public life from today

8554 new corona infections were confirmed nationwide from Saturday to Sunday: This is the highest Sunday value – and confirms the upward trend. For comparison: on the previous Sunday, 5684 new infections had been registered. The number of Covid intensive care patients rose to 365. Due to the alarming development, the government had announced the introduction of a 2G rule in large parts of public life from today on late Friday evening; the ordinance had to wait until 5 p.m. yesterday. Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg (VP) and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) announced on Sunday that the regulation would remain in place until over Christmas.

• 2G rule: Wherever proof of vaccination or recovery or a current negative corona test were considered entry requirements, from today only vaccination or recovery will be accepted. Anyone who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons needs a PCR test. The 2G rule therefore applies to visitors and customers in all areas of gastronomy, in hotels, with body-hugging service providers, in sports and leisure facilities (fitness studios), in cultural institutions (exception: museums), at events with more than 25 people (also on Christmas markets) as well as in hospitals and nursing homes. From November 15, 2G will also apply in gondolas and cable cars.
• Rules for children: Children up to the age of 12 do not need proof (Vienna requires 3G from 6 years). From the age of 13 to 15, the ninja pass, which documents the school tests, is valid. Young people from the ninth grade onwards need a 2G certificate.

Video: The government’s Covid19 policy – a balance sheet

• Transition period: For all those who have only received a vaccination dose or are now being vaccinated, the first stab in combination with a PCR test is valid until December 6th as proof.
• Control and penalties: Compliance is monitored by health authorities and the police. Just like employers, restaurateurs, operators and event organizers have to “ensure that the restrictions that apply in their sphere of influence are observed”. Customers face a fine of up to 500 euros for disregard, operators up to 3600 euros.

• Events: These may take place under the 2G rule, if there are more than 50 participants there is an obligation to notify. If more than 250 participants are planned, a permit is required.
• Special case working with 3G: For employees who have contact with other people at work, the 3G rule still applies for the time being, so both a PCR test and an antigen test are accepted as evidence. Negotiations on the switch to 2.5G are still ongoing with the social partners, 2.5G is the goal.
• Guests may therefore only be vaccinated (or recovered) in the pub, waiters can also only be tested. Similarly, according to Kogler, the 3G rule remains upright for professional athletes: The vaccination is a “personal decision” that must “also apply to athletes”.

Video: Before the 2G rule, the number of vaccinations increases

• Special case 2.5G in sensitive areas: Antigen tests no longer apply to employees in health and care facilities, but PCR tests do. However, those who have tested PCR must also wear an FFP2 mask. The same applies to employees in night restaurants and at major events.
• Special case Upper Austria: Governor Thomas Stelzer (VP) goes one step further. The 2.5G rule for employees applies in Upper Austria not only in hospitals and nursing homes, but also for body-friendly service providers, in restaurants, hotels, leisure facilities and cultural establishments. But there is a transition period until November 22nd.
• Green Pass: The proof of vaccination is valid up to nine (instead of twelve) months after the second bite, after which a third dose is required. This is then valid for 360 days. Anyone who has been vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine needs a booster by January 3rd at the latest, after which this one sting is no longer valid as evidence.
• Mask requirement: FFP2 is now mandatory in all shops and in museums and libraries (in Upper Austria for a week and a half). The FFP2 obligation remains in public transport.
• Exit controls: The rules for high incidence areas including exit controls are no longer applicable.

Too lax or too restrictive: Different criticisms

The SPÖ accuses the government of failures, the FPÖ criticizes “locking up for Christmas” because of the 2G rule.

Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) defended the tightening of the corona measures on Sunday and spoke out against compulsory vaccination as a way out. “I am not in favor of working with the constraint of a general compulsory vaccination,” said Kogler in the ORF press hour.

He defended the fact that the 3G rule still applies to employees in companies where customers and guests only have access to vaccinations or recover from tomorrow, by referring to the freedom of employment. The 2.5G rule is “the goal” of the ongoing negotiations with the social partners, he affirmed.

• Video: Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) in the press hour on the new 2G rule

He did not want to rule out the possibility that a lockdown might be necessary again in view of the development, but more regionally and as a “very last consequence”.

From the opposition came opposing criticism: The SPÖ accused the government of failures in vaccination progress, which would have led to “that the corona situation has slipped away,” said SP leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner. She called for a “national vaccination week” in which both unvaccinated people for the first sting and vaccinated people for the third sting should receive a vaccination date announced by letter. Neos club vice president Gerald Loacker also spoke of negligence on the part of the government.

FP boss Herbert Kickl, on the other hand, criticized the “vaccination pressure” and the announcement that the 2G rule would still apply at Christmas. He spoke of a “protective custody for the unvaccinated”, which leads to a “division of society”. The “supposedly protected vaccinated” would spread the virus further. He also mentioned the effects on the economy and ski tourism.

• Video: In the ORF press hour, Kogler does not rule out regional lockdowns

The tourism and hotel industries agreed to the tightening: The 2G rule was “a bitter but inevitable measure” in order not to endanger the winter season, according to the chairman of the tourism and leisure industry, Robert Seeber. The president of the hotelier association, Michaela Reitterer, also stated that her branch supported the decision. However, she demanded compensation “for the resulting loss of income”.