Austria Reopens Its Borders as COVID-19 Cases Reach a 2-Month Low

Austria recorded fewer than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases, marking the lowest count since October, as the last regions in the country reopened restaurants and hotels on December 20.

In the last 24 hours, Austria reported 1,792 new infections, a significant drop from daily peaks of about 13,000 in late November—a trend that contrasts with rising cases elsewhere in Europe.

In response to a significant surge in infections, the small Alpine nation entered a 20-day lockdown on November 22. Lockdown measures were eased for vaccinated individuals on December 12, but unvaccinated people still face restrictions.

Since December 12, each of Austria’s nine states has implemented its own reopening policies: some states allowed restaurants and hotels to resume operations immediately, while others kept them closed for a few additional days.

Last week, the capital city of Vienna decided to open shops and Christmas markets, but kept restaurants and hotels closed until Monday.

The most recent case figures highlight the effectiveness of the lockdown, particularly as the Omicron variant has caused increases in cases across Europe. Austria's seven-day infection rate is now 215 per 100,000 residents, down from a peak of 1,100 per 100,000 late last month.

Moreover, while the number of patients in intensive care units has decreased, it has done so at a slower pace compared to overall case reductions. Currently, 475 individuals are receiving ICU treatment, a drop from a peak of 664 in early December.

As Austria begins to reopen domestically, officials have enacted stricter travel restrictions for incoming visitors to mitigate the spread of the Omicron variant.

Starting December 20, travelers entering Austria must provide proof of vaccination or recovery. Additionally, two vaccine doses are no longer adequate for entry; travelers need to present a third booster shot or a PCR test. For the latest travel guidelines, visit austria.org.

Austrian citizens, residents, and European Union nationals can still enter the country without showing proof of vaccination or recovery, but they are required to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine upon arrival.