Austria removes all remaining Covid entry rules

The Austrian government has removed all remaining Covid entry rules, enabling international travellers to visit the country without showing proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result.

The changes, which came into force on Monday 16 May, returns Austria’s international borders to their pre-pandemic levels of enforcement, with travellers now only required to present standard documentation to enter.

The country has also dropped mandatory mask wearing rules in some public spaces, such as restaurants, bars and gyms. However, mask wearing is still required in hospitals and nursing homes, in supermarkets and on public transport.

The de-escalation of Covid rules in Austria brings the country closer to normality following a spike in Omicron cases over autumn and winter 2021, which led to a nationwide lockdown being announced from 22 November 2021.

Israel relaxes its testing rules from Friday

Israel will also relax its Covid-19 rules for international travellers from 20 May, with visitors no longer required to provide an on-arrival PCR test from that date.

It follows a change to the country’s pre-departure testing requirement on 10 May, which enabled travellers to take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of departure rather than the previously required PCR test.

The relaxation of travel rules has been made in response to a decline in the number of coronavirus cases being recorded in the country in recent weeks.

The decision continues the easing of Israel’s previously rigorous Covid border restrictions, and follows the removal of its vaccine requirements for international travellers on 1 March.

Spain has extended its Covid entry rules for another month

The government of Spain meanwhile has extended its current Covid entry rules until at least 15 June. The current rules were due to expire on 15 May but will now be in force for another month.

This means that travellers over the age of 12 from a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country must provide a valid vaccination certificate for Covid-19, proof of recent recovery, or certification proving that the bearer has performed a PCR test within 72 hours of travel, or a rapid antigen test within 48 hours of travel.

Travellers from non-EU countries cannot submit a test result for entry, must instead provide either evidence of vaccination or recent recovery from Covid-19.

Children under the age of 12 remain exempt, while those aged between 12 and 18 can enter if they provide a negative pre-travel PCR test.

It follows a similar decision by the government of Finland to extend their own Covid-19 border rules until at least 5 June earlier this month.