Austria is one of the European countries that started to relax its COVID-19 restrictions the earliest and from the 15th of may restaurants across the country will reopen their doors. However, the dining experience will have special regulations, and as Croatian café bars and restaurants will reopen on the 11th of May can we expect the same rigorous measures the Austrians have announced. So far the actual measures for hospitality objects has yet to be made public.

The Austrian Tourism Minister, Elisabeth Köstinger, announced at a press conference yesterday that as of the 15th of May all restaurants will be able to reopen and from the 19th of May hotels can start working again.

While the opening of catering facilities in Croatia is expected in the third round of loosening of anti-pandemic measures and the rules still haven’t been stated, but the Austrian model will look like this.

A maximum of four adults plus children may be seated at restaurants, with a distance of at least a metre between the tables. Restaurant staff will have to wear masks but guests will not have to wear masks while at their table. However, when arriving and leaving, as well as when going to the toilet, guests will have to wear masks. Restaurants across Austria will be allowed to open between 6:00am to 11:00pm, but nightclub and discos are still not able to reopen.

This Austrian model could well be introduced in Croatia, although it has already been stated that only outside terraces will be able to work. Whereas the Austrians have announced hotels can reopen Croatia has still to set a date for the reopening of the hotel industry. But as in the restaurant business strict restrictions will also apply to hotels in Austria, for example buffet breakfasts will not be allowed.

Despite the loosening of the measures, Austria's borders remain closed, with the Austrians announcing that they would first open the borders to tourism from Germany and the Czech Republic.