Austria Tightens Entry Requirements, Tour Operators Cancel Visits
Austria has issued new rules for everyone arriving from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. These countries will be classified as a virus variant region from 25 December in Austria. This means:
- People who are fully vaccinated (double jabbed) AND have received the 3rd booster jab can enter Austria with a negative PCR test (valid 48 hours). Children under the age of 12 are exempt (see below) and teenagers eligible for the Holiday Ninja Pass will be able to enter with a negative PCR test (valid 48 hours).
- Important additional information: Everyone else travelling from the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway needs to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival if they have not been fully vaccinated (2 x jabs) and had a third booster.
As a result tour operators are cancelling visits to Austria with departures before 1st January 2022.
The Crystal Ski website stated: “Unfortunately, due to the short notice of the new Austrian entry requirement, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel our holidays to Austria on December 27.
“We know that last minute testing is extremely challenging, even more so given that the tests would need to be taken on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
"With limited testing availability and capacity nationwide, we’re aware the vast majority of our customers would’ve been unable to meet this new requirement to travel. We’re sorry for the disappointment this has caused.
“We understand the challenge of this additional booster requirement for those aged 16-17 travelling in January so we’ll be in touch with affected customers directly.”
