Austria loosens COVID-19 restrictions

Austria loosens some of its COVID-19 restrictions today.

The new guidance states that Austrian citizens and foreigners will only need to present a negative COVID-19 test result to enter restaurants and hotels. Patrons will no longer be required to provide a vaccination or recovery certificate if they hold a negative test result.

The announcement comes amid a loosening of other COVID-19 measures. Officials stressed that the pandemic is not yet over but the stabilization of new infections allows Austria to readjust its measures. Last week, Austria dropped its “2-G” requirement, allowing the unvaccinated to enter shops and museums. In addition, Austria’s green pass, which shows proof of vaccination, will no longer be required from March 5th onward.

Expect these measures to continue to loosen. Austria is one of the last countries in the EU to ease its COVID-19 measures following a harsh lockdown which began in November 2019 due to a surge in cases caused by the Omicron variant.