The relaxation of the corona restrictions, which was due to be announced on Friday, was so extensive that not only the leading members of the government of both coalition parties, the ÖVP and the Greens, but also the captains of all nine federal states came to the Chancellery on Ballhausplatz in Vienna to be there.

The restrictions are to be largely reduced in two steps: On June 10, the curfew will be moved from the current 10 p.m. to midnight, and the opportunities to meet each other will be expanded.

Stephan Löwenstein

Political correspondent based in Vienna.

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    From July 1st, the upper limits for the number of visitors to events and the curfew will drop completely.

    Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) expressed their satisfaction that the infection situation and the forecast development made this possible.

    "We keep the promise that we can return to normal by summer," said Kurz.

    The three-G rule remains

    That means that in summer cultural summer festivals or sporting events can again take place in front of full ranks. Last but not least, this is also aimed at foreign guests, especially Germans, in Austria as a tourist destination. For example, pre-registration when entering Austria is to be dispensed with during the summer holidays. One prerequisite for everything, however, remains in any case: the so-called three-G rule. Entry and entry are only possible if you can prove that you have either been freshly tested, vaccinated or have recovered from a Covid infection in the past six months.

    There are still upper limits for events up to the summer holidays: up to 3000 people outside, up to 1500 inside, whereby only half of the available spaces (from June 10th: 75 percent) may be occupied.

    As of July 1st, not only will the upper limits be removed, but also the restrictions on assigned seats.

    A mask is required indoors - except where the three-G rule does not apply, for example in public transport or supermarkets.

    The easing affects events such as the Salzburg Festival or the Vienna Festival (which of course have already started to a limited extent), the Impulstanz Festival or open-air concerts.

    Special solution for Formula One races

    The Austrian soccer season also starts again in July with the first cup matches.

    Two Formula One races in Spielberg, Styria, should attract even more international interest;

    however, the first is planned for June 27th, shortly before the opening.

    In view of the “prestigious event”, solutions will be found here, assured Federal Chancellor Kurz.

    When it comes to entry, Austria follows the system of the German Robert Koch Institute.

    This should also make it easier for their own citizens to cross the border.

    In any case, countries like the Czech Republic have announced that entry will be made easier, which will also apply to Germany, among others.