 Poster: A snowHead
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@boyanr, 11th October, fresh snow and sunny warm Sunday, did not look very busy to me. I think it would be unwise to plan you winter season around that snapshot.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| clarky999 wrote: |
| NickyJ wrote: |
Thanks @radar, I hadn't heard it had changed back but wanted to make sure, so I googled.
Thanks @RedandWhiteFlachau, I had read that but really wanted the Austrian source as well 
That was the top hit BUT I noticed it wasn't an Austrian source, so I wasn't sure.
Given our rises in cases I really can't believe Austrians ARE allowing us in... and am half expecting that to change in the coming weeks  |
FWIW, THIS is the official Austrian Tourism Board site: https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information
It should also be noted that the role of Tourism Boards is to promote the destination, they are not 'competent health Authorities', are not involved in setting the travel rules, do not have doctors and virologists on board etc, and often get the news of new changes to travel rules at the same time as the public when they hit the newspaper sites or live broadcast press conferences from the Government.
RE. the second part, I think Austria will only impose incoming quarantines over the winter if they REALLY have to, as they don't want anything imposed reciprocally (other countries preventing their citizens travelling to Austria). I think they would only do that to incoming UK visitors if it were a neccessary condition for Germany to allow its citizens to travel to Austria. Personal opinion, obviously... |
Well it looks like Austria changed its entry requirements today for people arriving from the UK, we're back on the naughty step i.e you have to produce a negative Covid-19 PCT test on arrival in Austria or immediately pay to get one in Austria and quarantine:
https://www.salzburgerland.com/en/covid-19-travel-information/
(In German) https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20011194
Although there seems to be some disparity between various Austrian websites regarding this, see discussion here: https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=4653958#4653958
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Update:
| clarky999 wrote: |
| Alastair Pink wrote: |
| clarky999 wrote: |
| NewSki wrote: |
| clarky999 wrote: |
| NewSki wrote: |
pardon my ignorance, the whole situation has me bamboozled 
I've booked a hotel for Austria in January and have free cancellation until the end of November, do I need to quarantine in Austria? or does a negative test exempt me from quarantining? |
At the moment you only need to quarantine upon your return to the UK (not in Austria). However the situation is more likely to change before January than to remain the same. |
please see part 2 https://www.austria.org/current-travel-information, even more confused now  |
Not really confusing, you just need to read all the bits that make clear that that's the US Embassy site applicable for US citizens 
This is the main Austrian Tourism Board site: https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations
| Quote: |
Entry Requirements for UK Residents
UK residents can freely enter Austria, without the need for a medical certificate or self-quarantine. This only applies if you have not been to any countries considered a COVID-19 risk area in the past 10 days.
The UK government currently advises against all but essential travel to Austria. When you return from Austria to the UK, you will need to quarantine for 14 days.
All travellers arriving in the UK need to provide their journey and contact details to the UK government (online and in advance). Learn more here. |
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Looks like Austria changed its requirements for arrivals from the UK today - they now require a negative Covid-19 PCR test or quarantine on arrival.
https://www.salzburgerland.com/en/covid-19-travel-information/
(in German): https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20011194 |
Are you sure that's up to date? Of all the sites they link to, only https://www.ris.bka.gv.at have the same info... And I can't find any where else reporting it either |
Ok, I have been told that this HAS been inccorectly interpreted, and that this is the relevant clause:
| Quote: |
| (6) Die von Abs. 5 erfassten Personen haben glaubhaft zu machen, dass sie in den letzten 10 Tagen in keinem anderen Staat als Österreich oder den in der Anlage A1 genannten Staaten aufhältig waren. |
Deepl Translation:
| Quote: |
| Those persons covered by para. 5 are required to provide credible evidence that they have not been resident in any state other than Austria or the states listed in Annex A1 in the last 10 days. |
So basically, you would need a test (or quarantine) if you cannot prove you were in one of these countries for the last 10 days:
| Quote: |
Staaten gemäß § 2 Abs. 2, §2 Abs. 3, § 2 Abs. 5, § 2 Abs. 6 und § 3
AustralienBelgien
Dänemark
Deutschland
Estland
Finnland
Frankreich (mit Ausnahme der Regionen Île-de-France und Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur)
Griechenland
Irland
Island
Italien
Japan
Kanada
Lettland
Liechtenstein
Litauen
Luxemburg
Malta
Monaco
Neuseeland
Niederlande
Norwegen
Polen
Portugal (mit Ausnahme der Regionen Lissabon und Norte)
Republik Korea
San Marino
Schweden
Schweiz
Slowakei
Slowenien
Spanien – nur die Kanaren
Tschechien mit Ausnahme der Region Prag
Ungarn
Uruguay
Vatikan
Vereinigtes Königreich
Zypern |
= For most Brits no problem to travel (as confirmed by the main Austrian Tourism Board, Tirol Tourism Board, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc).
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I wonder at what point they decide to add a test requirement or quarantine for UK. Last nights Boris announcement probably won’t change the trajectory for a while and I would have thought Austria will want to protect themselves from us Brits.
Austria rate 75.2 /100,000 7 days
UK rate 151.2 / 100,000 7 days
Netherlands at 224 /100,000
Where I travel (Zillertal) Dutch are second largest contingent after Germans.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I suspect they will do even if there isn’t a test requirement in place at this precise moment
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| clarky999 wrote: |
Update:
| clarky999 wrote: |
| Alastair Pink wrote: |
| clarky999 wrote: |
| NewSki wrote: |
| clarky999 wrote: |
| NewSki wrote: |
pardon my ignorance, the whole situation has me bamboozled
I've booked a hotel for Austria in January and have free cancellation until the end of November, do I need to quarantine in Austria? or does a negative test exempt me from quarantining? |
At the moment you only need to quarantine upon your return to the UK (not in Austria). However the situation is more likely to change before January than to remain the same. |
please see part 2 https://www.austria.org/current-travel-information, even more confused now |
Not really confusing, you just need to read all the bits that make clear that that's the US Embassy site applicable for US citizens
This is the main Austrian Tourism Board site: https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations
| Quote: |
Entry Requirements for UK Residents
UK residents can freely enter Austria, without the need for a medical certificate or self-quarantine. This only applies if you have not been to any countries considered a COVID-19 risk area in the past 10 days.
The UK government currently advises against all but essential travel to Austria. When you return from Austria to the UK, you will need to quarantine for 14 days.
All travellers arriving in the UK need to provide their journey and contact details to the UK government (online and in advance). Learn more here. |
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Looks like Austria changed its requirements for arrivals from the UK today - they now require a negative Covid-19 PCR test or quarantine on arrival.
https://www.salzburgerland.com/en/covid-19-travel-information/
(in German): https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20011194 |
Are you sure that's up to date? Of all the sites they link to, only https://www.ris.bka.gv.at have the same info... And I can't find any where else reporting it either |
Ok, I have been told that this HAS been inccorectly interpreted, and that this is the relevant clause:
| Quote: |
| (6) Die von Abs. 5 erfassten Personen haben glaubhaft zu machen, dass sie in den letzten 10 Tagen in keinem anderen Staat als Österreich oder den in der Anlage A1 genannten Staaten aufhältig waren. |
Deepl Translation:
| Quote: |
| Those persons covered by para. 5 are required to provide credible evidence that they have not been resident in any state other than Austria or the states listed in Annex A1 in the last 10 days. |
So basically, you would need a test (or quarantine) if you cannot prove you were in one of these countries for the last 10 days:
| Quote: |
Staaten gemäß § 2 Abs. 2, §2 Abs. 3, § 2 Abs. 5, § 2 Abs. 6 und § 3
AustralienBelgien
Dänemark
Deutschland
Estland
Finnland
Frankreich (mit Ausnahme der Regionen Île-de-France und Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur)
Griechenland
Irland
Island
Italien
Japan
Kanada
Lettland
Liechtenstein
Litauen
Luxemburg
Malta
Monaco
Neuseeland
Niederlande
Norwegen
Polen
Portugal (mit Ausnahme der Regionen Lissabon und Norte)
Republik Korea
San Marino
Schweden
Schweiz
Slowakei
Slowenien
Spanien – nur die Kanaren
Tschechien mit Ausnahme der Region Prag
Ungarn
Uruguay
Vatikan
Vereinigtes Königreich
Zypern |
= For most Brits no problem to travel (as confirmed by the main Austrian Tourism Board, Tirol Tourism Board, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc). |
Thanks for clarifying that, I was misled by the Salzburgerland website link that said Austria required a negative Covid-19 test on entry for UK visitors, it seems they were mistaken. 
I was intending driving out to Austria to Hintertux at the end of November, so looking good from an Austrian regulations point of view, however today the FCDO website says that Germany has changed its entry requirements to include the Midlands (where I live) in the "high risk" category, which requires a negative test certificate or quarantine on entry to Germany! So that looks like my trip to Austria won't be happening.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Wed 14-10-20 21:53; edited 1 time in total
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Alastair Pink,
If that is the case, could you not just bypass Germany?
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@Austrian Seagull, well driving from the French channel ports the only other ways to Austria without driving through Germany are either via Switzerland (which also requires UK visitors to quarantine for 10 days!) or via Italy which also requires a negative test result and is a much longer drive.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Alastair Pink, The German test / quarantine requirement does not include transit trips. You should (but you need to check) still be able to drive through if your final destination is outside Germany. As far as I know the current RKI list does not mention "the Midlands" but a number of other UK regions see https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebiete_neu.html . It might have been updated though I have not seen a report of this but would not be surprised if it has been as the news from the UK is hardly positive.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@munich_irish, I know the German entry requirements allow you to transit through a "high risk" country such as Belgium, but I was intending having an overnight stop in Germany. I know the RKI website you linked to doesn't currently list the Midlands as a "high risk" area of the UK, but the FCDO website I linked to in my previous post was updated today to say that the Midlands is now included, so if that's the case then I would be coming from a place where I've been staying in a "high risk" area. If I avoid the overnight stop in Germany by say having the overnight stop in Belgium or France instead then I have definitely stayed in a "high risk" area. It seems like it's Catch-22! 
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Also a flat tyre, breakdown or an accident would be a stop involving a mingle with others possibly
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You know it makes sense.
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@Alastair Pink, It could be the RKI simply havent made a public announcement yet as the list on the website is now a week old since the last update. It would hardly be a surprise if more of the UK is added to the list. I was pointing out that Germany allows you to transit through Germany without restrictions if you have been in a high risk area but stopping overnight is somewhat different. There has been a lot of discussion in Germany about requiring a negative test from those travelling from a high risk area before they stay in a hotel. Some Länder such as Bavaria insist on it others such as Brandenberg do not and this is causing much political debate. Both northern France and Belgium are considered high risk areas. I know this will get frowned upon by some people but you could simply give an address in a "non high risk" area (Isle of Wight  ) of the UK (if such a thing still exists) there is no way the hotel would know by simply looking at your passport (not that German hotels generally register people) and no address check when paying in person with a credit card.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@munich_irish, thanks, but I want to stick to the rules. Anyhow the way things are going the whole of the UK could soon be classed as a "high risk" area....
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Poster: A snowHead
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Probably not directly relevant here, as travel is in the wrong direction, but for anyone wondering about airport rapid testing, Vienna have just announced how it will work there. The plan actually seems quite sensible:
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Vienna International Airport is working on the introduction of rapid corona antigen tests for travellers. In future, passengers will be able to take such a test directly in the check-in area, which provides a result after a few minutes, the airport announced on Thursday. Upon presentation of the boarding card, a throat swab will be taken and the passenger will be informed of the result after ten to 15 minutes.
• If the result is negative, the passenger can begin the journey.
• If the result is positive, a PCR test will be arranged in consultation with the authorities. |
The test before travel reduces the likelihood of being quarantined by authorities on arrival, and any positive tests will be backed up by a second test to improve the accuracy.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Scarlet, that’s the way to do it.
Hopefully other airports will follow suit.
If it is positive (falsely or it really is) then you have the result there and then and aren’t stuck there as you live in the country anyway. No waiting for a test before you go which may not arrive in time unless you pay through the nose for it.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Interesting, but what if you are not Austrian and leaving Vienna, a positive result would mean you can’t travel (reasonable outcome) and being stuck in a country you don’t live in? would the cost of the outcome of this be covered by insurance ? or is this just for Austrian nationals?
With tests on arrival and tests on departure (after a ski holiday for example) it should reduce the risk of the spread of infection for everyone, but it all adds to the risk of travelling.
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@rayscoops, yeah as much as I love skiing it does put me off as I can’t afford to be stuck there and also when I pack for a holiday I want to go on it, I don’t want to have to turn around when I get to the airport (or not). Every winter there’s the usual to think about too like heavy snowfall disruption, flights being redirected, I can’t be bothered with something else to think about.
I’m lucky enough that I’ve done loads of skiing in previous seasons so I’m happy to sit one out
If (and it’s a big if) the Canadians open the border by March then I might go on my Banff trip booked through SkiBig3 ages ago but if not, well that’s how it is.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@rayscoops, Note the wording is “will be able” not “have to”. I would suggest that those who do not have their own accommodation in Vienna do no take this test, if it is not required.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Scarlet, ah ok
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The situation in Austria, in common with most other places, has got a fair bit worse. There is talk of Innsbruck getting a "red" grading on the traffic light system (currently orange / level 3 out of 4). Land Salzburg is introducing various measures such as home schooling for older kids. The situation in Germany has also got significantly worse (though currently better than most other places) which is going to mean regional restrictions, early bar closing times etc (it might be that our local village bar has to close at 23:00 ). I cant see how Germany can stay on the UK "travel corridor" for much longer which is going to mess up many of the plans discussed above.
@rayscoops, there have been free arrival tests at Munich airport for some time now. Tests are for anyone not just German residents. If you test positive it is your responsibility to sort / pay for your own accommodation.
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@munich_irish, looks like Tennengau will get a red too.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Yeah, whatever that means. We have no idea. 
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@Scarlet, more difficult to get a beer
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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At the rate it’s going people won’t be going anywhere else in the UK either.
What’s the false positive rate on the tests in Germany and Austria? Does anyone know?
There’s been a lot of talk about false positives here but the rapid antigen test is different to our PCR test here isn’t it?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Sounds like Innsbruck, Imst and Schwaz will also be joining Austria's red list soon (press conference at 5pm CET). Exactly what that means (/if any further restrictions will be introduced) will hopefully be clarified at the same time...
Kuchl/Hallein in Salzburg is subject to a local lockdown, with only delivery drivers and essential workers allowed in and out. But it seems they have a dramatically worse infection rate than anywhere else in AT.
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@VolklAttivaS5, The test I had a couple of weeks back at Munich airport was the PCR type. As far as I know tests in Germany are PCR, I have heard (as been following the Giro d'Italia) that the rapid tests are common in Italy. One of the riders (Michael Matthews) who tested positive with the rapid test subsequently tested negative with a PCR.
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You know it makes sense.
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| munich_irish wrote: |
| @Alastair Pink, It could be the RKI simply havent made a public announcement yet as the list on the website is now a week old since the last update. It would hardly be a surprise if more of the UK is added to the list. |
Yep, the latest RKI website info issued today 15.10.2020 at 17:00 CET has now added the East Midlands and the West Midlands to the "high risk" areas of the UK as from 17.10.2020.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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In what is a serious problem for the Austrian tourist industry (other countries too) the German government has confirmed that from 08.11.20 the option of avoiding quarantine by having a pre arrival test will no longer be applicable in Germany. There will be a minimum of 5 days quarantine from high risk regions, only then will a negative test be relevant. I am presuming the current exception for trips under 48 hours will continue ie no issue for commuters or shopping. I believe also transit will be allowed ie fly into Munich travel directly to Austria. That pretty much rules out early season ski trips for the majority of likely visitors and big headaches for hoteliers, lift companies etc. I guess this will upset the German travel industry too so it might be possible that there will be intense lobbying to revise this plan.
@Alastair Pink, I cant see how they can include those two areas and not London?
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Poster: A snowHead
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| munich_irish wrote: |
@Alastair Pink, I cant see how they can include those two areas and not London? |
Agreed.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Alastair Pink wrote: |
| munich_irish wrote: |
| @Alastair Pink, It could be the RKI simply havent made a public announcement yet as the list on the website is now a week old since the last update. It would hardly be a surprise if more of the UK is added to the list. |
Yep, the latest RKI website info issued today 15.10.2020 at 17:00 CET has now added the East Midlands and the West Midlands to the "high risk" areas of the UK as from 17.10.2020. |
Must just mean at high risk of having a brummie accent.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| ster wrote: |
Must just mean at high risk of having a brummie accent. |
As I live in the East Midlands there's no risk of me having a brummie accent, mi duck.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| munich_irish wrote: |
| @VolklAttivaS5, The test I had a couple of weeks back at Munich airport was the PCR type. As far as I know tests in Germany are PCR, I have heard (as been following the Giro d'Italia) that the rapid tests are common in Italy. One of the riders (Michael Matthews) who tested positive with the rapid test subsequently tested negative with a PCR. |
Ah I see, thanks
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hardly surprising given the news from practically everywhere but the situation in Austria is not good. The area with the biggest concern currently is around Salzburg. Rapidly rising infection rates are seen throughout the country. The village of Kuchl south of Salzburg has been isolated and there is discussion about the same happening to Grossarl (part of Ski Amade). To give some context the 7 day / 100000 rate for new infections is currently approx. 120 for the country as a whole but 175 for Land Tirol and 200 for Land Salzburg.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@munich_irish, although the reality is that most towns have no more than a handful of cases. Grossarl has 46, so it is worse than most, and the village of St Martin am Tennengebirge has 39, so effectively that has the worst rate in Austria right now. But to put that into some context, the 39 people were all at an event where they became infected, in fact it was 42 people, but 3 have since recovered. And the contact tracing for these 42 people has revealed no further cases. Contact tracing for the Grossarl outbreak is still ongoing. The Kuchl outbreak related to a wedding with over 200 guests and a charity sports event.
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@queenie pretty please, sure all that is true but that is not how things are perceived in Bavaria. The 7 day rates in Tirol are around 2.5 times as high as the rate in upper Bavaria and 3 times in Salzburg (upper Bavaria has the highest rate in Bavaria) which suggest this is not just a couple of small local issues but a wider problem (its the same here, Berchtesgaden, just across the mountains from Kuchl, also has high rates of infection and has pretty much been closed down). There is now a proposal that any border commuters will have to have regular (weekly I believe) tests. I would hope that things will get better before too long (certainly before the ski season) but currently no sign of that.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@munich_irish, the outbreak in Berchtesgaden which has effectively shut down an entire Landkreis can mostly be traced back to one party.
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FAQ
