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Rapid v West Ham: “2G-plus” Will Apply

The Mayor of Vienna has announced that new Covid-19 rules will come into force in Vienna. They would make it necessary to get tested in time before the Europa League game on Thursday week, or you risk to be refused entry into the ground.

For events with 25 or more people, the “2G+ rule” will apply (proof of “vaccinated or recovered”) with additional PCR test. This means that even if you are fully immunised by a double vaccination, have already had your third one, or have recovered from Covid (within the last six months) you would also have to present a valid PCR test, no older than 48 hours. The date of the test is valid, not the date of the result.

That means that supporters flying in on matchday would have to take the test in UK, because by taking the test in Vienna it would be unlikely to get the result before kick-off.

According to current legislation the so-called “2G+ events” are exempt from wearing a face mask. However having an FFP2 (kn95) mask (without air vent) is compulsory when coming to Vienna: in shops, restaurants and public transport everybody is obliged to wear this kind of face mask. The blue disposable masks like the ones used in hospitals are not sufficient in Austria.

Of course, all these rules “are subject to change” and could be tightened within the next weeks. So far we have a so-called “lock down for the unvaxed” who aren’t allowed to go to restaurants, cinemas, theatres etc. and are only allowed to buy things essential for life (food and medicine).

Though it is not very likely, if the Covid figures won’t come down within the next one or two weeks, a lock down for everybody could be on the cards and football games were to be played behind locked doors again like last season.

Let’s hope that won’t be necessary and the new measures, though highly disputed and legally questionable, will be sufficient to break the “fourth wave” in Austria !

November 14, 2021 at 12:16 am 9 comments