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Austria will end strict exit restrictions due to the crown pandemic after May 1 after almost seven weeks. “We can let the exit restrictions expire, we don’t need to continue them,” said Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens).
As of Friday, all that is required is a minimum distance of one meter from people who do not live in the same household. However, it was too early to believe that the crisis was over, Anschober said. “We can say stop at any time.” It was important to avoid a second wave of illness. People who do not live in the same household would have to maintain a minimum distance of one meter. Protective masks should also be worn.
Starting in May, meetings of up to ten people are again allowed in Austria. Demonstrations should also be possible again under certain conditions. The measures will apply until the end of June.
The hotels can reopen from May 29, local already on May 15 in accordance with the rules. Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger said four adults and associated children can sit at each table. The one meter general distance rule does not apply to guests seated at a table. Opening hours will initially be limited from 6 a.m. at 11 p.m.
In early May, depending on the departure time, all stores and many service providers, such as hairdressers, may reopen. It is still unclear when tourism, which is so important to Austria, can start again.
Since mid-March, Austrians were only allowed to leave the house if there was a good reason. This included essential mandates. However, outdoor exercise (walking and cycling, for example) was also allowed from the start. Exit restrictions were limited until the end of April and now expire on April 30.
No decision on holiday travel from Germany yet
The Austrian Minister of Tourism has not yet decided when holiday travel between Germany and Austria will be possible again. “We will only be able to offer freedom of travel and partially open borders where infection rates are low and similar to those in Austria,” said Köstinger. “That is the case in the Czech Republic and also in Germany. But it will be a discussion in the future.”
Currently, people can only enter Austria from Germany under strict conditions, for example, if they have permanent residence in the Alpine Republic. Typically, you will need to quarantine for 14 days. There are exceptions for travelers who live and work near the border.
Austrian tourism is pushing for the border to open, as Germans represent a large number of guests in both winter and summer.
