The corona rules are now more complicated again. There are different combinations of access restrictions and masks. Often the number of visitors is also a criterion for corona measures. For example, it doesn’t matter whether an event takes place inside or outside: the 2-G rule applies to more than 500 participants. Children under the age of twelve are excluded. For them, entry is still possible with a rapid antigen test, which is otherwise no longer accepted as evidence in Vienna, or a PCR test. No proof is required for children under six years of age.
Employees at major events and in night-time catering either need a PCR test or have to be vaccinated or have recovered. This is the 2.5G rule announced by Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) – i.e. the restriction to vaccinated and recovered people and to a PCR test certificate. Antigen tests no longer apply. If employees do not have proof, they must wear an FFP2 mask.
2.5 G rule in 25 to 500 people and in the health sector
For gatherings with more than 25 people and fewer than 500 people, the 2.5 G rule also applies to visitors. In cinemas, theaters and cabarets with no more than 500 seats, the familiar mask requirement remains, with mouth and nose protection being sufficient. For events with more than 500 people, there is no mask-wearing requirement due to the 2-G rule.
The 2.5 G rule also applies to people aged twelve and over in the catering and hotel industry, for body-friendly services and for visiting hospitals and care facilities. In exceptional cases, an antigen test may be used by hotel guests if a timely presentation of a PCR result is not possible and those affected would be left on the street.
Employees in the health sector must also present a valid PCR test result if they have not been vaccinated or have recovered – so 2.5-G also applies here with a special feature: regardless of their vaccination status, all employees must present a valid PCR test once a week and wearing an FFP2 mask.
Masks in retail stores
In the retail sector, Vienna is now relying entirely on FFP2 masks. This regulation frees the trading staff from control measures and enables an efficient review by official bodies, it said on the part of the city. All of these measures are limited to the beginning of November and once again differ from the federal government, for example in the fact that in some places tests are no longer valid as evidence.
The city has created uniform and clear rules so that certain areas can remain open even with increasing numbers of infections, which mainly affect unvaccinated people. One is convinced that the Vienna rules are “more readable” than those of the federal government.
FFP2-Maske, PCR-Test, MNS, 2-G, 2,5-G
In summary, one could also say: You now have to wear an FFP2 mask again in retail, as well as in museums, exhibition houses in hospitals and care facilities. In the theater in the cinema or in concert halls it depends on the number of people in the room which rules apply. For small groups up to 25 there are no restrictions, for more than 25 you need mouth and nose protection and you have to recover, vaccinate or PCR tested. With more than 500 people you have to be vaccinated or have recovered, you don’t need a mask for that. In restaurants and hotels you don’t need a mask either, but you have to recover, be vaccinated or be PCR tested.
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