Some Leading Austrian Resorts Close As Tighter Operating Restrictions Come In

Several ski areas in Austria's Tirol region have closed until further notice after the province brought in new operating restrictions.

The most high-profile change is that skiers must now either be in possession of evidence that they have recently had a negative coronavirus test result (within the preceding 48 hours), or evidence that they have had, and recovered from, coronavirus within the past six months.

Random checks will be carried out at ski areas to check that skiers are complying.

Solden is one of the areas to announce its closure, issuing a statement saying,

"Due to the current developments with renewed tightening for the Tyrolean ski areas, the Bergbahnen Sölden unfortunately no longer see themselves in a position to guarantee a satisfactory and responsible ski operation."

However other areas, including the SkiWelt, have said they'll stay open for now.

Austria's re-opened its ski areas on Christmas Eve but only to people staying locally, with hotels closed.

More recently it required skiers to wear surgical standard face masks, the toughest mask-wearing requirement in the ski world.

A number of up to now mostly smaller ski areas have closed because of the various pandemic operating requirements and limited numbers of people able to buy tickets, saying its not viable for them to open.

St Anton have announced this evening that they are also shutting down their skiing indefinitely due to the new regulations. Austria has also extended the closure of hotels to "at least Easter".

Interesting that proof of having had Covid is 'sufficient'...although depends whether this is a regional directive or govt.

But with Covid passports being muted, this direction is quite key, potentially.

On the UK, no such test of antigens is available except in Private.