Updated January 17th, 2021: Austria currently has a full lockdown that provisionally applies up to and including February 7th. The associated measures are (obviously) designed to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 in the country as the vaccination programme rolls out.
Almost all tourism infrastructure is affected. For example, hotels (unless you’re on undelayable business) cannot accept new guests, while restaurants (except for limited takeaway and delivery services), bars, coffee houses, concert venues, theatres, cinemas, markets, museums, art galleries, and similar are all closed.
Most forms of events can no longer take place and all non-essential retail outlets are closed as well.
Another significant lockdown measure is social distancing and a 24/7 curfew (with some exceptions, such as buying groceries, outdoor exercise, medical needs and getting to work that cannot be done at home).
At the time of writing, the intention is to allow non-essential stores and museums to open from February 8th. Restaurants, hotels, and events will remain closed longer, however.
Other restrictions on public life continue through the lockdown. For example, face masks are required in a wide range of indoor and outdoor spaces. From January 25th, for example, FFP2 face masks are compulsory when in stores and on public transport.
As a private individual, I’m not qualified to offer you travel or medical advice, especially since the rules change and contain many ifs, buts, and details. So…check the official tourism website, which has detailed info/updates in English for those planning (or on) a trip to Vienna, with various links to further official information of use to travellers and visitors.
Also be sure to check:
- Official event, service & location websites (particularly for info on cancellations, postponements, changed opening times, temporary closures and behavioural requirements)
- Your government’s travel advisory pages (there are, for example, restrictions and requirements concerning entry to many countries from Austria and vice versa)
Check official sources for accurate, up-to-date advice and information.