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Mass coronavirus testing begins in more Austrian states

The Local Austria
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Mass coronavirus testing begins in more Austrian states
Photo: Andy Buchanan / AFP

Coronavirus mass testing begins in several Austrian states today. Here's where you can get tested.

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The Austrian government in November announced a plan to embark on mass testing of the population. 

The first wave of mass tests began on Friday, December 4th, in Vienna, Tyrol and Vorarlberg. In these states, anyone in the population can be tested, regardless of their occupation. 

EXPLAINED: How Austria's mass-testing plan will work

On Friday, December 11th, mass testing started in Salzburg, Upper Austria and Carinthia. 

When are the tests taking place?

The federal government initially announced that the plan would begin testing teachers on December 4th - but that the general public would not be tested until the weekend of the 19th and 20th of December. 

However, each Austrian federal state has adopted a different set of dates when the testing regime will start. 

The testing phases had been staggered in order to ensure enough test capacity, however it appears that - at least in some federal states - test capacity has been secured. 

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Here's how you can register in order to take a test. 

Vienna, Tyrol and Vorarlberg

In the western states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg - which have been two of the hardest hit states recently by the virus - mass testing will start on the weekend of the 4th/5th of December. 

Vienna was initially sceptical of the plans and waited to hear more from the federal government about how they will take place before making a commitment, Kurier reports. 

Late on Thursday, November 26th however, Health Councilor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) told APA that the capital will begin its mass tests earlier than the federal guidelines. 

READ MORE: Vienna to start mass testing early

Vienna will start its mass testing on Friday, December 4th.

Vienna hopes to test 1.2 million people as part of the program. 

Salzburg, Upper Austria and Carinthia

In Salzburg, Upper Austria, Styria and Carinthia, testing will take place the weekend after, starting on Friday the 11th. 

Styria was the last state to announce its mass testing plan. 

More information about the exact locations of the testing centres is available here

Lower Austria

Lower Austria is sticking to the federal plan. This means that teachers along with school and kindergarten staff will be tested on the weekend of the 4th-6th of December, with police tested on the 7th and 8th. 

The public is slated to be tested from the 19th of December onwards, although the Kurier reports that there is a chance testing could be brought forward. 

Burgenland

Burgenland will start testing teachers at the same time as set out by the federal government guidelines, but will bring forward the mass tests for the general population to December 10th

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