Austria tightens rules on PCR tests for arrivals from Bulgaria
As of July 27, all
Bulgarian citizens traveling from Bulgaria to Austria, as well as
European Union citizens arriving from Bulgaria, must present a
certificate of a negative PCR test for coronavirus, not older than
three days before arrival in Austria, as well as a medical
certificate in German or English, the Foreign Ministry in Sofia
said.
Until now, those travelling from Bulgaria to Austria
were required to provide the Austrian authorities with a certificate
of a negative PCR test result, not older than four days before
entering the country, and in the absence of a certificate, travelers
were placed under 14-day home quarantine.
According to the new
measures published in the Austrian State Gazette, if the required
documents are not submitted, those arriving in Austria from Bulgaria
will be placed under a 10-day home quarantine or quarantine in a
suitable accommodation.
In the case of quarantine in a suitable place of accommodation, the traveller must provide confirmation of the availability of such a place, the cost of which is borne by the traveller. All these circumstances, as well as the obligation not to leave the quarantine site within 10 days, are confirmed by the signature of the traveler.
Quarantine
may be terminated prematurely if a local negative molecular
biological test for coronavirus is presented.
If the
travellers have not been able to take a negative test in Bulgaria,
within 48 hours of their entry into Austrian territory they are
obliged to take a test in Austria at their own expense. Until a
negative test result is presented, citizens are obliged to be under
home quarantine or quarantine in a suitable place for accommodation,
the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said.
Unhindered transit
through Austria remains in force. It does not require a negative test
for coronavirus, but provided that there is no stopover in Austria
and departure is guaranteed.
For citizens who live in Austria
or have the status of permanent residents, but are outside Austrian
territory on the date of entry into force of the new regulation, the
old provisions will remain in force until midnight on August 1,
Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said.
The Austrian announcement follows a succession of announcements by other countries in recent days regarding changed regulations on arrivals from Bulgaria, including Italy and Denmark.
(Photo: pxfuel.com)
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