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The baby elephant will be revived with the new regulation and the mask requirement will be expanded.
Starting Sunday, new measures to contain the corona pandemic will be implemented across Austria. For example, the maximum number of people in small meetings and events outside its own four walls is reduced to six (inside) or twelve (outside), and smaller upper limits apply to larger events than before. The 1 meter distance (the “baby elephant”) is being revived in public space. In gastronomy, only six adults can share a table.
Unlike what was announced, the new measures will not be applied from Friday, but only from midnight on Sunday, because the corresponding ordinance of the Minister of Health, Rudolf Anschober, was only completed late. Individual innovations have a transition period. Below are the most important current and future rules for an overview:
Distance rules
The general rule of 1 meter distance (the “baby elephant”) when entering public places (such as the street), which expired at the end of July, is now legally binding again as of Sunday. Since the end of July, this measure only exists as a recommendation of the Minister of Health, Rudolf Anschober (Greens), the reason was the lifting of the general restrictions on leaving the crown by the Constitutional Court. After the necessary “repair” of the Covid 19 Measures Act in September, the rule was reinstated by ordinance. What’s new is that mouth and nose protection should also be worn when entering all closed public access rooms; this applies, for example, when entering an underground passage.
The 1 meter rule does not apply to people living in the same household and the rule does not apply to groups of up to six people (plus a maximum of six minor children). Caregivers of people with disabilities are also excluded. In sports, on the other hand, the distance must definitely be maintained again, apart from contact sports or, for example, when overtaking runners.
In many other areas, the rule of the meter applies as before. This is prescribed in public transport (“if possible”), in all customer areas, in all professional activities, in gastronomy (compared to those who do not belong to their own group of visitors) and in establishments of accommodation in general access areas. You have to maintain a distance of one meter from other people at all events, when practicing religion, and at extracurricular events (such as vacation camps).
Mask requirement
The use of a mask for the mouth and nose (MNS mask) is mandatory in almost all indoor public access areas, but also at numerous outdoor events. As of November 7, 2020, face shields open on multiple sides or small chin visors are no longer allowed. Thereafter, only fitted mouth and nose protection is allowed. As before, such a protective mask must be used in public transport (including cable cars, airplanes, coaches, excursion boats), also when shopping and for any service with customer contact. The novelty is that the MNS obligation now also applies explicitly at metro stations, platforms, stops, train stations and airports.
Also new: the mask must now be worn continuously at all events with an assigned seat (with more than six people inside and more than twelve outside). This also applies, for example, to visits to the opera or theater, where previously you could remove the mask from the square. MNS’s ongoing obligation for outdoor events is also new. In restaurants (apart from the seat), in schools outside the classroom, in accommodation establishments (in the generally accessible indoor area), when visiting administrative authorities and administrative courts, the mask requirement still applies .
MNS protection should also be used when visiting nursing homes, swimming pools (apart from wet rooms such as showers and swimming pools), sports facilities (except sports), in museums, exhibitions, libraries, archives and other recreational facilities in closed rooms. This regulation also applies to markets, both domestic and foreign. Those who cannot wear a mask for health reasons must have a medical certificate with them.
Events
New upper limits apply to Sunday events. In the future, only six (instead of ten) adults will be able to participate in indoor events without assigned seating. For outdoor events without a seat, the limit is twelve adults (previously 100), plus six minor children in each case. This rule applies to all gatherings, including private parties, outside of your own living space, for example, also for Christmas parties, weddings and birthdays. Meetings planned in the park or during recreational sports are also covered by these maximum limits. There is an exception for funerals, here a maximum of 100 participants (previously 500) is allowed. The novelty is that any event with more than six or twelve people must be reported to the health authorities, the authorization requirement remains with 250 participants.
Organized major events are limited to a maximum of 1,000 people indoors (previously 1,500) and 1,500 people outdoors (previously 3,000) starting Sunday. This also applies to opera houses or football fields, for example the football Bundesliga is affected. Serving food and beverages is also prohibited, exceptions are made for events lasting more than three hours.
Gastronomy
In gastronomy, the general requirement to wear a mask is maintained, as usual, with the exception of the seat. Consumption is only allowed while sitting. The novelty is that instead of the maximum limit of ten people per group of visitors, only six adults and a maximum of six underage children can visit the restaurant together. There is an upper limit of twelve people (plus six children) in the outdoor dining area. The novelty of Sunday is that after curfew, alcoholic beverages can no longer be consumed within 50 meters of a restaurant, this also applies to gas station stores and bars.
The curfew is generally kept at 1 am Stronger regulations are in effect in Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg since September 25: the lights go out at 10 pm Registration was already mandatory in Vienna, Tyrol, Salzburg and Alta Austria, and from Friday it will also be mandatory in Vorarlberg. In Lower Austria it is valid in all “orange” districts. All restaurants with more than 50 seats will need to create a prevention concept in the future (instead of just those with more than 200 seats previously).
Choirs and bands
For amateur choirs and bands, as of Sunday a maximum of six people inside and a maximum of twelve outside is allowed to participate. In the case of professional musical groups, there is an obligation to create a concept of prevention. If there are more than 50 people inside or more than 100 people outside, a COVID-19 officer must also be appointed.
Nursing homes
To protect vulnerable groups in nursing homes, residents in all general areas (not part of the residential area) must use MNS protection from Sunday onwards. Exceptions are only made for health reasons (including dementia) or due to disability. Visitors and employees must wear a mask at all times. Residents and employees should also be thoroughly screened. In addition, a prevention concept should be developed to minimize the risk of infection in nursing homes, nursing homes and the disabled. You must also specify the number of visitors, the frequency, the duration and the mandatory pre-registration of visits and health checks at the entrance. In any case, visits as part of palliative and palliative care support, as well as to support critical life events, should be possible.
Private living room
There are definitely no restrictions on privacy, although the federal government is pushing to keep social contacts as low as possible at home. In Salzburg and Vorarlberg there are local restrictions to the extent that private celebrations outside living spaces were prohibited, for example in garages or barns.
schools
Existing measures remain in effect in schools. In this case, the mask requirement applies outside the classroom. Distance learning is only available regionally, based on the school’s traffic light color. In ten districts it has been orange since Monday. Hallein, the city of Salzburg and the land of Salzburg, St. Johann im Pongau (all of Salzburg), the city of Innsbruck and the land of Innsbruck, Schwaz, Landeck, Kufstein and Imst are affected. For high school classes, this means switching to shift work or homeschooling. Outdoor exercise is still preferred, only chanted with a mask.
Local action
Local measures that go further are also possible. In addition to the previous local curfew and registration requirements in the restaurant sector, the quarantine has been in effect in the commercial city of Kuchl (Salzburg) in Tennengau from October 17 to November 1. Access to the site is controlled by the police, hotels and restaurants have been closed, shops are allowed to remain open. Currently, only key workers can come and go.
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