Coronavirus

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

Last Updated June 15, 2022, 11:35 a.m.

Recent Updates

Our strong communication and planning along with consistent safety protocols enable us to successfully manage the COVID-19 challenges this school year. Our track record of limited cases across the community reflect the strong partnership, trust, and support experienced between the school and our families.

AIS 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 inside of 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 AIS. 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 and we will continue to work with you for the benefit of our students.

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

COVID-19 Protocols

Testing

  • Information about COVID-19 testing protocols for the 2022-2023 school year will be released in August 2022.

Masks

  • Mask wearing is optional everywhere on campus.

Visitors

  • Visitors to school must be able to show 3G status.

We fully expect all community members to adhere to Austrian travel restrictions and quarantine measures prior to setting foot on campus. We also 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 restricted to 5 tests per month. Visitors to school must be able to show 3G status.

COVID-19 Response Team

The AIS COVID-19 Response Team consists of Renée McCormack (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-19 cases or close contacts go directly to them. The team is best prepared to answer your specific questions.

Email the AIS COVID-19 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:

Difficulty Breathing
Shortness of Breath
Cough
Sore Throat
Hoarseness
Loss of Smell and Taste
*All With or Without Fever

If you are unsure, please email the AIS COVID-19 Response Team.