Coronavirus

This page is updated when COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines evolve or when we receive new information about pandemic-related measures.

Last Updated September 7, 2022, 15:00 a.m.

Recent Updates

Our strong communication and planning along with consistent safety protocols enabled us to successfully manage the COVID-19 challenges over the last few years. Our track record of limited cases across the community reflects the strong partnership, trust, and support experienced between the school and our families.

AIS Vienna is uniquely prepared to manage the ever changing COVID-19 context by way of our American/IB educational approach and philosophy, which supports students’ creative, adaptive and problem-solving skills. Like our students, our leaders, teachers, and staff are similarly “wired” to adapt, create, team, and adjust to the needs of our students, regardless of the model of learning delivery, whether in the classroom or across a virtual connection, while maintaining strong relationships and connection.

Our experiences with COVID-19 may be just as diverse as the places our families are coming from. Each of us may have different expectations and will adjust to the current circumstances in Vienna and at AISV. We will strive to provide clarity and consistency of communication so that students and their families feel prepared, informed, and reassured. Parents are our partners at AIS Vienna and we will continue to work together for the benefit of our students.

Please take a moment to review the following, based on recently released Austrian COVID regulations:

Our COVID Protocols

We now have COVID protocols in place that lineup with the directions we have received from the Viennese authorities. We have applied these instructions so that they provide the best protection for our community, while keeping as many programs running normally as possible. Please review our AIS Vienna COVID protocols below.

Austria expects a surge in COVID cases sometime in October or November, so rest assured we are prepared and able to toggle to stricter protocols if needed and/or instructed to do so.

Testing

If you are symptomatic, take a PCR test.

If the test result is negative and you are well enough to attend school, then do so. Remember, you must be fever free for 48 hours before returning to school. Fever threshold is 37.8C. If the test result is positive, then you must not attend school for 5 days. The day when the positive test is taken is day zero. On Day 5 you may test out with a negative PCR test result, or with a Ct score of 30 or higher. You must inform the COVID Response Team of a positive test result.
For household members of a positive case we will provide antigen tests to be taken at home before coming to school each day. We also ask that any mask (preferably FFP2) in ES and MS and FFP2 in HS be worn at all times and that more focus is placed on social distancing.

Regular on-campus testing will not take place at this time.

For more information on how to make use of the city of Vienna testing system, click here.

COVID Symptoms

If you have symptoms, please stay away from campus and take a COVID test. Anyone showing symptoms on campus will be referred to the School Nurse, Clara Kluckner, for testing.

There are three common clusters of symptoms that have been identified:

a respiratory symptom cluster with sore throat, runny nose, cough, sputum, shortness of breath, and fever;
a musculoskeletal symptom cluster with muscle and joint pain, headache, and fatigue;
a digestive symptom cluster with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Masks

Wearing an FFP2 mask is proven to be an excellent form of protection. You will not be required to wear a mask on campus. However, we encourage anyone who feels vulnerable or anyone in a crowded environment to feel free to wear an FFP2 mask.

Social Distancing & Hand Sanitizing

Avoiding crowds and reducing social contact is another proven way of reducing risk. We ask that, where practical, you keep in mind the importance of social distancing. In addition, we expect you to sanitize your hands as you enter campus and as you enter and exit classrooms and offices.

We fully expect all community members to follow all current protocols as established by the Austrian government.

Individuals who have been vaccinated (Geimpft)

For people who have been vaccinated with an approved vaccine, the following rules apply:

The proof of vaccination for individuals who have received a two-shot vaccination is valid for 180 days from the date of the second vaccination.
The 1-dose vaccine by Johnson & Johnson is only valid with a booster.
The vaccination is valid for 180 days from the date of the vaccination for recovered people who have been vaccinated once.
The third vaccination (or the second vaccination for those who have had one shot or who have recovered from Covid) is valid for 270 days.

Individuals who have recovered (Genesen)

For people who have recovered from COVID-19, the following rules apply:

These individuals are exempt from the obligation to test for 60 days from the first positive test. Evidence includes:
- Official discharge certificate: valid for 180 days.
- Medical confirmation of a prior infection confirmed by means of a molecular test: valid for 180 days.

A comprehensive range of test options will create numerous low-threshold options for test evidence in the future.

Individuals who test (Getestet)

Everyone is allowed up tto 5 free tests per month.

For more information on how to make use of the city of Vienna testing system, click here.

COVID-19 Response Team

The AIS Vienna COVID Response Team consists of Clara Kluckner (School Nurse), Andy Harrison (Director of Events Office) and Claudia Bonek (Travel Liaison Officer and Assistant to the Events Office). Please make sure that all reports of confirmed or suspected COVID cases or close contacts go directly to them. The team is best prepared to answer your specific questions.

Email the AIS Vienna COVID Response Team

Continued Health Imperatives

We continue to repeat Austrian, CDC, and WHO advice that wearing masks, regularly washing/sanitizing hands, and physical distancing remain our best practices for slowing the spread of the virus.

If you present the following symptoms, please call the health hotline ("Gesundheitstelefon") 1450 (English-speaking representatives available) immediately.