Updated June 17th, 2021: Vienna opened up on May 19th after a long period of partial/full lockdown. Almost all the tourism infrastructure – hotels, bars, restaurants, coffee houses, museums, zoos, cinemas, concert venues, theatres, opera houses – may now open in the city. Cultural and sporting events are also possible again.
Be aware, though, that some requirements remain to help prevent any upsurge of COVID-19 in the country as the vaccination programme continues to roll out.
To sit in a restaurant, for example, you need to leave contact details and fulfill the so-called 3G requirement (show that you are either recovered (“Genesen”) from a COVID infection in the last six months, have a timely and valid negative COVID test result (“Getestet”), or have been vaccinated (“Geimpft”) with an approved vaccine long enough ago to have built immunity but not too long ago, either: see official sites for all the details and small print on these and other requirements. Incidentally, tourists can make free use of all the municipal testing facilities (and we have an awful lot of them).
Other restrictions on public life continue to apply. For example, FFP2 face masks are still obligatory in a number of places; this includes inside stores and museums or when using public transport.
I’m worn down by the last year or so, but slowly optimistic about developments.
The authorities relaxed the rules further on June 10th (allowing bigger numbers at events and more people at a single table in a restaurant, for example) and intend to open up even further from July 1st, with removal of many rules for events, opening of nightclubs and discos, and similar. July 22nd should see another tranche of rule easing implemented. However, it seems the 3G requirement for access to numerous locations will be with us for a while yet. All this depends on continuing benign development of the situation, of course.
Regardless, I emphasise the following:
As a private individual, I’m not qualified to offer you travel or medical advice, especially since the rules contain many ifs, buts, exemptions, and details. So…check the official tourism website, which has comprehensive 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, and behavioural/entry requirements)
- Your government’s travel advisory pages (particularly regarding, for example, restrictions and requirements concerning entry to Austria and returning from Austria)
Check official sources for accurate, up-to-date advice and information.