Location: Austria
Event: The Government of Austria has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice.
State local government actions:
- The government has implemented quarantines in select areas of Austria.
- The Austrian Government has requested that individuals maintain limited social interactions and comply with the following:
- Public gatherings of more than five people are forbidden.
- Stay home except for essential duties, such as:
- Procurement of groceries and necessary supplies.
- To assist others who are unable to leave their homes.
- To perform essential work or assist with COVID-19 response.
- For walks with co-habitants in groups no larger than five.
- All restaurants, bars, cafes and non-essential businesses are closed. Groceries, pharmacies, and other essential shops remain open, but with limited hours. Essential shops/services include grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, postal services, pet stores, gas stations, medical facilities and public transportation.
- Employers should allow employees to telework whenever possible.
People found in violation of these regulations may be fined by local police.
The Austrian Coronavirus Hotline is available for individuals in Austria who believe they may have a COVID-19 infection. It can be reached by dialing 1450 from within Austria. Callers will be given directions on what actions to take by calling the hotline. Keep trying if you cannot get through. Many people are calling at once.
For life or death emergencies, 112 is the emergency number for Austria. Visit the local government COVID-19 website for updated information.
Actions to Take:
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Check your length of permissible stay. We have been advised that people unable to travel due to COVID-19 travel disruptions will not be subject to administrative penalty.For further information see https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/travel-stay/entry-and-residence-in-austria/entrance-and-residence/ (in English) for additional information on any new measures related to entry and residency.
- Consider advancing departure plans from Austria before means of travel becomes unavailable or prepare to remain in Austria until further notice as flight and train schedules are severely limited. The U.S. Embassy does not have commercial travel information, so please check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- If you would like to follow media outlets providing updates on the situation, here are some links to newspapers and radio: https://www.vindobona.org/, https://www.thelocal.at/, and https://fm4.orf.at/ (all sites in English).
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- See the CDC’s latest recommendations on how to protect yourself from the virus.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Vienna.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy/Consulate (Vienna, Austria)
Boltzmanngasse 16
(+43-1) 31339-0
ViennaUSEmbassy@state.gov
https://at.usembassy.gov/ - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Austria Country Information
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