No quarantine for asymptomatic Covid-patients in Austria

The new pandemic measures will affect around 100,000 people immediately

Yesterday, Austrian health authorities introduced new COVID-19 measures, which will make life for people who tested positive for the infection much easier. As of 1 August, those who have tested positive but feel well will not be subject to quarantine measures.

Instead, they will have to abide by entry restrictions to certain public health facilities. These entry bans, however, do not include the workplace, meaning that asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 will not need to go on sick leave.

Entry bans with exceptions

The move by Austrian health authorities clearly shows that we are moving into a new era of pandemic restrictions, with a key feature being the general relaxation of measures. Despite that fact, the entry bans do aim at protecting the most vulnerable groups, as well as schoolchildren and kindergartens, as those are considered to be potent disease vectors.

People who tested positive but do not have any symptoms will still be required to wear an FFP2 mask at all times. Furthermore, they are banned from entering the following facilities:

• Retirement and nursing homes as well as residential facilities for the disabled;
• Hospitals;
• Sanatoriums;
• Day facilities in care homes;
• Kindergartens;
• Primary schools
• Other childcare facilities for children under the age of 11, including those provided by day-cares.

As the Austrian Press Agency (APA) reports, these measures would immediately affect around 100,000 Austrians, currently stuck at home. However, despite the entry bans, there are numerous exceptions, allowing people to fulfil their care roles for either the elderly or children.

For instance, parents will be able to accompany minors going to school. The ban also does not cover healthcare workers in care homes or hospital staff, allowing them to go to work, provided they stay with a mask at all times.

At the same time, however, children under the age of 11, who have tested positive, are not allowed to attend school and kindergartens. Additionally, people who cannot wear a mask at all times will be subject to a quarantine even if they do not have any symptoms.

People who have tested positive and feel ill will still be subject to a five-day quarantine.