Industry News
The legendary skiing state of Tyrol in Austria announced today that they will be closing all ski resorts in the state of Tirol on Monday, March 16th, 2020.
There are currently 110 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Tyrol.
Tyrol borders Italy where there have been 15,000 cases of Coronavirus and 1,000 deaths due to Coronavirus.
Italy has closed its borders, closed its ski resorts, and put its citizens on lockdown.
Globally, over 4,600 people have died from Coronavirus, about 126,000 people have been infected, and about 68,000 people have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University.
There are 80 ski resorts in Tyrol.
Austria’s most famous ski resorts reside in Tyrol including:
- St. Anton
- Kitzbuhl
- Ischgl
- Solden
- Ziterall
- Obergurgl
“Dear Friends!
In light of the continued spread of the coronavirus in the Alpine region, the Tyrolean government has decided to end the winter season early. All Tyrolean ski resorts will close on Sunday, 15th March 2020, and accommodation facilities will close on Monday, 16th March 2020. If your holiday is imminent, please contact your host directly.
We hope that this necessary step remains the absolute exception and kindly ask for your understanding. At the same time, we would like to thank all guests who have visited us this winter and have placed their trust in us. We will keep you up to date with further information.
More at: https://www.tirol.at/informationen-coronavirus”
- Government of Tyrol, Austria, 3/12/20
Coronavirus in Tirol: the most important questions and answers
latest update: 12/03/2020, 8:15 p.m. by the government of Tyrol, Austria
Latest information
On 12 March 2020 the regional government of Tirol decreed new preventative measures aimed at combating and limiting the spread of the Coronavirus. All cable cars and other ski lifts in Tirol will close at the end of the day on Sunday, 15 March 2020. Accommodation providers (hotels, apartments, private rooms, etc.) will close on Monday, 16 March 2020. Further details will be given by the regional government in a press conference at 10:00 on Friday, 13 March 2020.
These comprehensive measures have been decided on in close cooperation with the authorities and the local tourism industry. The health and safety of the local population, staff working in the tourism industry and guests from around the world is our number one priority.
For the latest update click here, where you will find a list of the most important questions and answers at the bottom.
Are there restrictions on entering and leaving Tirol?
There are no general restrictions on entering and leaving Tirol. The only restrictions in place are on the border between Austria and Italy. On 10 March 2020 the Austrian government issued the highest travel warning for Italy. This means checks will be carried out on people wishing to cross the border from Italy to Austria. All people – of any nationality – wishing to cross from Italy into Austria require a medical certificate which is no more than four days old. People arriving without a medical certificate and staying in Tirol must self-isolate at home for 14 days. It is, however, still possible to travel from Italy through Austria (without stopping) and on to other countries. There are currently no train connections and no flights to and from Italy.
Border checks are being carried out on all people attempting to cross from Italy into Austria – in Tirol this means checks at the border crossings on the Brenner Pass, on the Reschen Pass and in Sillian.
We recommend that all travellers contact the relevant health authorities in their own country to get the latest information about current travel restrictions before setting off on their journey.
For all the latest information on public transport in Tirol region please contact the Verkehrsverbund Tirol (VVT). Click here for current information.
Is it likely that restrictions will be imposed on public life?
On 12 March 2020 the regional government of Tirol decreed new preventative measures aimed at combating and limiting the spread of the Coronavirus. All cable cars and other ski lifts in Tirol will close at the end of the day on Sunday, 15 March 2020. Accommodation providers (hotels, apartments, private rooms, etc.) will close on Monday, 16 March 2020. Further details will be given by the regional government in a press conference at 10:00 on Friday, 13 March 2020.
These comprehensive measures have been decided on in close cooperation with the authorities and the local tourism industry. The health and safety of the local population, staff working in the tourism industry and guests from around the world is our number one priority.
For the latest updates click here, where you will find a list of the most important questions and answers at the bottom.
In order to combat the spread of the virus, all outdoor events with more than 500 people and all indoor events with more than 100 people have been cancelled until the start of April. This may also have an effect on tourist services.
From Monday, 16 March 2020 schools in the region will begin to be closed (until Easter). Initially it will only be upper secondary schools (Oberstufe) which will be closed. From Wednesday, 18 March 2020 all other schools (pupils aged 14 years and under) will close.
There will be no lessons taught at universities and universities of applied sciences. Instead, lessons be carried out online (distance learning).
Can I use public transport to travel around Tirol? What if I have already bought a ticket?
There is no restriction on public transport in Tirol. We will provide information quickly if this situation changes. Tickets which have already been issued can be used as normal.
What is the situation in Tirol’s ski resorts?
Tirol’s ski resorts are open for business.
The Silvretta Arena ski resort in Ischgl will close on Saturday, 14 March 2020 on the instructions of the regional government of Tirol.Other ski resorts will remain open. This step has been taken due to a concentration of Coronavirus cases in Ischgl.
Other ski resorts are not affected. For information on ski resorts open in Tirol click here.
Can I cancel my holiday?
If you decide not to travel to Tirol for a holiday you have already booked, it is likely the standard cancellation conditions of your accommodation provider will apply. For more information, please contact your accommodation provider or your travel insurance company.
How many Covid-19 cases are there in Tirol?
There are currently 110 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Tirol. Together with the national government, the health authorities and the emergency services, the regional government of Tirol is doing everything in order to further restrict the spread of the virus.
What should I do if I think I have become infected with Covid-19?
If you notice symptoms during your stay in Tirol or believe that you may have become infected with the Coronavirus, please self-isolate in your room/flat. Call the hotline ( 1450) immediately. You will receive further instructions on what to do.
If you notice symptoms after a stay in Tirol, please self-isolate at home and contact your local health authority. Follow the advice given by your country’s government.
Where can I get more information?
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Health provides information on its website (in German) about the spread of coronavirus worldwide and the current situation in Austria. For the latest up-to-date information please visit the website of the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) and the updates provided by the die regional government of Tirol.
A hotline operated by AGES gives information on transmission, symptoms and prevention of coronavirus: 0800 555 621 (7 days a week, 24 hours a day)
For information about the current situation in specific areas of Tirol, please call your accommodation provider.
How can I protect myself from coronavirus?
As with standard winter flu, the best way to protect yourself from coronavirus is by washing your hands several times a day with soap and water or an alcohol-based disinfectant. If you have to cough, cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue (not your hands) and avoid direct contact with people who are ill.
Important general information from the Austrian government
The Austrian government calls on every person to do their bit to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. This means reducing social contact to a minimum. Young people in particular are strongly encouraged follow these protective measures in order to protect older members of society.
Updates
Latest update: 12.03.2020, 8.15 p.m.
Update 12 March 2020: On 12 March 2020 the regional government of Tirol decreed new preventative measures aimed at combating and limiting the spread of the Coronavirus. All cable cars and other ski lifts in Tirol will close at the end of the day on Sunday, 15 March 2020. Accommodation providers (hotels, apartments, private rooms, etc.) will close on Monday, 16 March 2020. Further details will be given by the regional government in a press conference at 10:00 on Friday, 13 March 2020.
These comprehensive measures have been decided on in close cooperation with the authorities and the local tourism industry. The health and safety of the local population, staff working in the tourism industry and guests from around the world is our number one priority.
Update 11 March 2020: The Silvretta Arena ski resort in Ischgl will close on Saturday, 14 March 2020 on the instructions of the regional government of Tirol. The nearby ski resorts of Kappl, See and Galtür will remain open. This step has been taken due to a concentration of Coronavirus cases in Ischgl.
We take the greatest possible care to ensure this information is as complete and up-to-date as possible. However, we can assume no responsibility this information being 100% complete and up-to-date at the time of reading.
