“We have practically been waiting for weeks now to get the go-ahead from officials in Europe and Austria to say, ‘our borders are open for U.S. travelers again!’ ... and here we are!” the Austrian Tourist Office said in an email to Travel Agent. As of Thursday, June 24, Austria's borders are reopening to American travelers.
Here’s what you need to know:
Upon entry into Austria, travelers arriving from the United States must either present a certificate of vaccination, certificate of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test result. If none those certificates or test results can be provided upon entry, the person seeking entry must take a COVID-test at their own expense immediately after arrival (24 hours after arrival at the very latest). In this case, travelers also have to register in advance using a pre-travel clearance form available at entry.ptc.gv.at/en. Note: Only certificates and test results issued in English or German by a medical professional or public authority will be accepted.
Regarding the vaccination certificate, travelers must have received inoculation with Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Sinopharm or Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines.
- Start of validity: Twenty-two days after the first inoculation
- End of validity: Three months after the first inoculation if partially vaccinated (received one of two prescribed doses) or nine months after the first/only inoculation if fully vaccinated (received all prescribed doses)
For a certificate of recovery, travelers will need confirmation of their recovery from COVID-19 in the past six months issued by a medical professional or public authority, or a positive test for COVID-19 antibodies (not older than three months).
For non-vaccinated or recently recovered travelers, they will need a negative COVID-19 test result. These include a PCR/NAAT or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 with the sample taken no earlier than 72 hours (PCR test) or 48 hours (antigen test) prior to entering Austria.
While in Austria, you will have to wear and FFP2 or KN95 masks inside hotels, museums, restaurants (when not seated at your table) and on public transportation, among other circumstances; however, mask mandates and restrictions in Austria are to be eased and partially lifted starting July 1.
For more information, visit www.austria.info.
This article originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
Related Articles
Café Chitchat, Chocolate Cake, and the Vienna Opera
Americans Can Now Visit the Czech Republic