Austria (Report: Muhammad Amir Siddique) Eating, drinking, celebrating together – this is again allowed in gastronomy from July 1st, even after midnight. However, the well-known “3-G rule” remains in place: Local guests must therefore prove that they have been vaccinated against the coronavirus,
tested negative or have recovered. In Vienna, the “living room rapid tests” are not accepted as evidence – you either have to show a PCR gargle test or a rapid antigen test, for example from a test street or a pharmacy. From Thursday you can party and dance again in the clubs and discos – all over Austria, including Vienna. In addition to the curfew, there is also a mask requirement, but some other rules still apply. Masks do not have to be worn – neither by the guests nor by the staff. Anyone who stays in the restaurant for more than 15 minutes, however, must provide their contact details in case a contact follow-up is necessary. In Vienna, this regulation should exist for a longer period of time – the federal government intends to release this obligation as early as July 22nd. For the time being, there won’t be full houses in night-time gastronomy: bars without traditional seats – i.e. in clubs and discos – may not be fully occupied by more than 75 percent. From July 22nd, however, there will no longer be any capacity restrictions. If club operators want a full house instead of just 75 percent occupancy, they can, however, register an event in advance and sell admission tickets. For meetings of 100 or more people, there is an obligation to notify the district administrative authority, and a Covid-19 prevention concept is also required. A permit is required for 500 people or more. Stricter rules possible through bars. In Vienna over the past few weeks a “1-G” or “2-G regulation” for night-time catering has been discussed. Only people who have already been vaccinated or have recovered would have had access. Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) said that this is not legally possible, because those who have been tested are equated with those who have recovered and who have been vaccinated. But the bars could of course set stricter standards through their house rules. It remains to be seen whether they will do that – and whether all clubs and discos will actually open up again with the relaxation. Some operators are unsettled after the months of downtime: “For some, it will probably be the easier way to stay closed now and use the fixed cost subsidy and other aid measures. And then when there are really clear announcements or maybe they will open to 100 percent on July 22nd, ”said Martina Brunner from the“ Vienna Club Commission ”service point.
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