From Saturday, Austria will require a negative COVID-19 test upon arrivals from the Czech Republic, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Petříček.

Medical professionals, seasonal workers, and diplomats will be exempted from the above-mentioned decision.

On Thursday morning, 4,453 new infections were recorded across Austria – the first time since the start of the pandemic when more than 4,000 cases have been recorded in a 24-hour period.

A total of 29 deaths were recorded across the country from Wednesday to Thursday.

When comparing Austria’s federal states, confirmed cases were in Lower Austria (1,074), followed by Vienna (821), Upper Austria (796), Tyrol (584), Styria (355), Salzburg (262), Vorarlberg (261), and Carinthia (166) and Burgenland (119).

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler, and Health Minister Rudolf Anschober along with a number of health experts are meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss implementing new measures to curb the spread of the virus.

Austrian media reports that one option being considered is a ‘lockdown light’ similar to that adopted in Germany, which would involve the closure of bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues for a set period of time.

#UpozorneniNaCesty: ?? Rakousko zavádí povinnost negativních testů ne starších než 72 hodin pro cesty z celé ČR. Nařízení platí od půlnoci z pátka na sobotu. Výjimku budou mít pendleři, pendlující studenti nebo pravidelné návštěvy rodiny. Za porušení pravidel hrozí vysoké pokuty.

— Tomáš Petříček (@TPetricek) October 29, 2020