"As of March 5, a large part of the restrictions, which people complain about so much, will disappear," Karl Nehammer told a press conference in Vienna.
No more need to show the vaccination pass at the entrance of hotels, restaurants, concerts and sporting events.
The curfew is also removed.
No more antigenic and PCR tests regularly required in addition in the Alpine country.
Made free of charge, "they will be evaluated", underlined the conservative official, recalling their high cost.
A pharmacy in Mariahilferstrasse in Vienna, February 8, 2021 ALEX HALADA AFP / Archives
It will also be possible to wear the FFP2 mask, currently compulsory in Austria, everywhere except in transport, supermarkets, pharmacies and hospitals.
The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, for his part has decided to maintain stricter measures in the Austrian capital for the time being.
Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein spoke of “a paradigm shift” thanks to the Omicron variant, while calling for “flexibility” in the face of an unpredictable virus.
The Chancellor also called for "caution", to proceed "step by step to regain the freedom that the virus stole from us": "we have not yet overcome the pandemic, the Covid is still part of our life", he insisted, calling on non-immune Austrians to take the plunge.
Since the beginning of February, people over the age of 18 must be vaccinated against Covid-19 or risk a heavy fine, an unprecedented measure in the European Union.
Faced with questions about its relevance in the current context, the government has however sought the advice of experts.
About 70% of the population is on a full vaccination schedule in the country of 8.9 million people which has recorded 14,471 deaths since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
© 2022 AFP