Austria has eased entry restrictions, so visitors from the UK no longer need to self-isolate if they are fully inoculated against Covid-19 – but it will introduce a time limit on the validity of vaccinations from Wednesday (August 18).
Since Sunday (August 15) the UK has been on a list of seven countries that are no longer considered ‘virus variant areas’.
However, the Austria.info travel portal said the validity of vaccination extends for 270 days after the second jab, for those requiring two doses, and after the first for vaccines needing just one.
It comes amid fears of waning immunity from the jabs.
The Telegraph noted how the vaccination validity for UK travellers who were fully vaccinated in January will expire in October. Those who were double-jabbed by the end of April would have a valid pass until the end of January 2022.
The report said: “The news is the latest blow for fully vaccinated holidaymakers, who will have hoped to have seen their travel rights increase, not curtail.
“Over the weekend, a government source warned that Britons who have received two doses of a Covid vaccine may no longer be considered ‘fully jabbed’ and exempt from quarantine once the booster roll-out has begun.”
Following the easing of restrictions on Sunday, visitors from the UK arriving in Austria must now show either proof of vaccination; recovery from Covid infection; or provide a negative test upon entry into the country.
Non-vaccinated British holidaymakers will still have to quarantine, other than children under 12 travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
Austria has been on the British green list since August 8, under the traffic light system for international travel, meaning holidaymakers returning to the UK do not have to self-isolate even if they haven’t been vaccinated.
The Austria.info portal said Austrian hotels, restaurants and night clubs are open, as are museums, culture and leisure.
For almost all public indoor and some outdoor spaces, visitors will need to show either a negative Covid test or proof of vaccination/past infection.
Face masks are required on public transport and in other public spaces.
Pictured: Hallstatt heritage village in Austria. Credit pim pic/Shutterstock.