Austria skiing

[Grayswood]

Meant to heading off to Austria on the 17th December. We booked direct (yes, in hindsight mad) and we won’t get a refund if we don’t go. Anyone else still heading off to Alps this xmas, or are we really stupid? It looks like Austria will be coming out of lockdown tomorrow.

@Rool

Do 12 year olds have to be triple jabbed to enter without quarantine? That is my understanding but just checking before we cancel the holiday!

no - this is not correct. 12yr olds get the ninja pass

Any idea how we get 19 and 16 year olds in who are double jabbed but not boosted? The ninja pass is only valid for 12-15 year olds. Time is running out to sort out everything as our flight is at 8am on the 27/12. I'm resigned to not going but want to know if it's even possible for us to go! ARGH!!!

Thanks silverbubbles. I thought the Ninja Pass was for being in resort not for entry into the country? I am confused

@Card1gan

Any idea how we get 19 and 16 year olds in who are double jabbed but not boosted? The ninja pass is only valid for 12-15 year olds. Time is running out to sort out everything as our flight is at 8am on the 27/12. I'm resigned to not going but want to know if it's even possible for us to go! ARGH!!!

Hi - I am looking into this at the moment. There is little mention of this age group but I think they still just need the 72 hour pre departure PCR. I found this link on twitter...

planetski.eu/2021/12/22/austria-considers-further-travel-restrictions-on-the-uk/

www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations

‘’Children under the age of 12 do not need proof of vaccination/recovery or a PCR test if accompanied by fully vaccinated or recovered adults.

Teenagers (12 or over and born on or after 1 September 2006) can use the first PCR test of their Holiday Ninja Pass to enter Austria.

For teenagers born before 1 September 2006, the "2-G+" rule (proof of full vaccination/recovery AND PCR test OR booster) applies. ‘’

@Rool

Do 12 year olds have to be triple jabbed to enter without quarantine? That is my understanding but just checking before we cancel the holiday!

From my understanding - everyone over 18 have to have had the booster and still take a PCR. For entry - 12-15 also have to have a PCR. Test for entry but need the ninja pass (which either means double vaccinated or they test 3 x in resort) . Under 12’s are exempt . Can’t seem to find the rules on 16-17 year olds

@Card1gan

Any idea how we get 19 and 16 year olds in who are double jabbed but not boosted? The ninja pass is only valid for 12-15 year olds. Time is running out to sort out everything as our flight is at 8am on the 27/12. I'm resigned to not going but want to know if it's even possible for us to go! ARGH!!!

Just seen this on Crystalski - which says that 16+ need boosters!!

Austria entry requirements update
Austria:

We’re aware of the new restrictions introduced by the Austrian authorities for those travelling between 25th December and 31st January.

All arrivals aged 16+ must be double vaccinated and must also have received their booster vaccination as well as having a negative result from a PCR test.

Children aged 12-15 are exempt from this with the Holiday Ninja Pass and those under 12 are also exempt. Details of the Holiday Ninja pass can be found here.

For departures to Austria on the 27th December, we’re aware that there is only a short timeframe before travel and getting the required testing will be difficult. We will be in touch with an update shortly.

For departures from the 3rd of January to 30th January we'll also be in contact soon in departure date order.

We’ll continue to monitor the situation for future departures. For customers due to travel 1st February onwards that want to change their holiday can do so up to 28 days before their departure with our Crystal Holiday Promise.

[quote Havanananana]@silverbubbles

I'm still trying to find the clear rules for 16 year olds, but as the Ninja Pass is only for children aged 12 to 15, this will not be an option for your teen.[/quote]
I have found conflicting info. One source saying just the PCR is needed another (Crystal Ski) has released info saying that they have to have had boosters.....

@silverbubbles

Everyone aged 12 or over has to have a PCR test.

The information for 15 year olds born before 1st September, and 16 and 17 year olds is really not clear on the Austrian information sites.

From www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations

"For teenagers born before 1 September 2006, the "2-G+" rule (proof of full vaccination/recovery AND PCR test OR booster) applies. "

My assumption would be that "teenagers" in this case means those aged 15, 16 and 17 - but it is not at all clear. 18 and 19 year olds are almost certainly classed as adults, so will need to meet the full requirements - 2 vax + booster + PCR test.

Crystal often have their own interpretation of the rules, usually erring on the side of caution, but if it is a Crystal or TUI staff member who is deciding whether or not to let people on to the flight, they will stick by their rules (even when they are not in line with the official government rules - as appears to be the case in your post above).

[quote Havanananana]@silverbubbles

Everyone aged 12 or over has to have a PCR test.

The information for 15 year olds born before 1st September, and 16 and 17 year olds is really not clear on the Austrian information sites.

From www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations

"For teenagers born before 1 September 2006, the "2-G+" rule (proof of full vaccination/recovery AND PCR test OR booster) applies. "

My assumption would be that "teenagers" in this case means those aged 15, 16 and 17 - but it is not at all clear. 18 and 19 year olds are almost certainly classed as adults, so will need to meet the full requirements - 2 vax + booster + PCR test.

Crystal often have their own interpretation of the rules, usually erring on the side of caution, but if it is a Crystal or TUI staff member who is deciding whether or not to let people on to the flight, they will stick by their rules (even when they are not in line with the official government rules - as appears to be the case in your post above).[/quote]
I have been reading this info again and I think the clause you mention above re: teens relates to everyone else entering Austria not people entering from:

NEW: Virus variant areas United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway

Interesting to read everyone's interpretation of the new rules. I genuinely think that there's no way of getting a double jabbed but not boosted 16 and 19 year old out to Austria on Monday. On reflection, I'm not even sure I'd be able to go as I've only been boosted today so it also depends how quickly the NHS update my vaccine passport. Will be getting in touch with the insurance company tomorrow morning, wish me luck getting answers...

Hopefully there will be some clarification today - there are several issues that are unclear and even the Austrian Embassy website does not have the latest rules (as of 08.30 on 23/12).

Doesn't look good for those teens aged 15+ - born after 1 Sept 2006 is only 15 years 3 months old. How can anyone that age have had 2 jabs and a booster?

@bestbefore - according to gov.uk

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/austria/entry-requirements

‘Children aged 12-18 who are not yet fully-vaccinated can take advantage of a “Holiday Ninja Pass” to access venues. Details at press.austria.info/winter-holidays-with-teenagers/ ‘

Actually sorry, that gov uk website seems wrong. When you then go to Austrian one it def states after sept 2006 for ninja pass

This rule below about pcr OR booster is on the ‘ all other countries’, NOT from the uk.
For teenagers born before 1 September 2006, the "2-G+" rule (proof of full vaccination/recovery AND PCR test OR booster) applies.

@Card1gan

Interesting to read everyone's interpretation of the new rules. I genuinely think that there's no way of getting a double jabbed but not boosted 16 and 19 year old out to Austria on Monday. On reflection, I'm not even sure I'd be able to go as I've only been boosted today so it also depends how quickly the NHS update my vaccine passport. Will be getting in touch with the insurance company tomorrow morning, wish me luck getting answers...

The vaccine passport updates very quickly, certainly next day. Can your 19yo not do a walk-in booster? Although that does not solve issue of dc2 .

@Caspianberg exactly - the ninja pass is only valid for those 12-15.3
Weird explanation here.
(And why "ninja"?)
I am hoping very much things change soon but I feel for those going out now

Full refund given by Jet2 due to no way of getting 19 and 16 year old to Austria on Monday without having to isolate for 14 days out there. Hotel has also refunded our deposit so at least we’ve not lost any money this year. So gutted to miss out on a ski trip as it’s such precious family time and the girls won’t want to come with us forever.

@LIZS we’re in Wales so DD 19 has an appointment for her booster next Wednesday. There aren’t any ‘walk in’ locally for boosters, all appointments. If that was the only thing stopping us I may have considered trying our luck at the vaccine centre but that wouldn’t help DD 2 who is 16 and only had her 2nd jab 3 weeks ago.

Looks like we are going to have to cancel going on boxing day as we have an un boostered 16 yr old.

Bloody annoying as I imagine in a few days time they will address this age group that they have not considered properly and will allow them in on a negative PCR or extend the age on the ninja pass to cover them.

We had this exact scenario earlier this month with our single jabbed 14 yr old - not allowed in unless double jabbed and then they introduced the ninja pass.....

First it was the 14 yr old who couldn't go now it the 16 yr old - so bored of it all now.

You need to be careful if you are travelling on Boxing Day or just after. The PCR test needs to be done within 48 hours, not 72 hours.

I hope Christmas skiers are having a wonderful time!

We’ve set ourselves a deadline of end of January to cancel our Feb half term trip. Partly because we need to be able to get into France - flights add thousands to an already expensive trip - which we currently can’t. Partly because we dread testing positive on the return, and I think we will feel tense all week that it could happen. So we’ll see if the UK’s testing regime eases.

Otherwise, 2023 awaits. Sad but necessary.

Hello all, help again!
This has now appeared on the Austria.info website since the changes on 25th December. This means the ninja pass doesn’t appear to apply for entry into the country for over 12s.

Please be aware that children and teenagers over the age of 12 arriving from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark or Norway (virus variant countries) different rules apply from 25th December. They need to be fully vaccinated (2 jabs) AND have received the 3rd booster jab. They also need a negative PCR test (valid 48 hours) to enter Austria.

Ignore the above. The Austria.info website appears to have changed again! 🤦‍♀️

@Rool

Ignore the above. The Austria.info website appears to have changed again! 🤦‍♀️

Oh thank god ! Austria is on our list of possibilities for January now our 12 year old is double vaccinated !

The Austrian websites are a complete mess.

Austria.info is not the official government site - it is the Tourist Association site and there is a disclaimer on it to warn that the information is not necessarily the legal position. It provides a link to the Austrian Embassy in London site, which likewise is not currently up to date.

The Austria Government website is also not up to date (as of 09.00 on 28/12) - as it actually states on the site > www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/coronavirus_in_oesterreich/pre-travel-clearance.html

As far as I can read, the situation for children between 12 and 15.3 is the same as for adults - they require 2x vax PLUS a booster PLUS a PCR. On the government website there does not seem to be an exemption for this age group, but this might become clearer later today when the official site is updated.

The formatting of the page on Austria.info does not make it clear if the Ninja Pass is valid for entry from the UK - the relevant paragraph appears after the heading "Everyone else entering Austria .." (i.e. everyone else except people from UK, DK, NL and NO) although it then goes on to mention the rules for children from these countries born after Sept. 2006

As an indication of how confused the situation is, over 100 British guests were turned away from Innsbruck airport at the weekend after the new rules came into force. Even the airlines got it wrong - these passengers should not have been allowed to fly from the UK as they didn't fulfil the requirements (mainly because their PCR tests were out of date, being 72 hours old rather than 48 hours as required). They were sent back to the UK on the next available flights.