Winter in Austria is particularly pretty.
As the temperatures dip, cities and towns across the country transform into icy wonderlands with festive markets, snow-covered forests, winter sports and frosty mornings.
But if a trip to Austria was on your radar this year, you might want to hold off on booking your flight just yet.
That's because the European country is pausing leisure travel as part of new measures it is putting in place to fight a fourth wave of Covid-19.
From November 22, Austria will implement a temporary lockdown that will last until at least December 13, but could be extended for up to 20 days, according to the country’s chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg.
“Austria's borders are open, but given the upcoming lockdown, travel to Austria for touristic purposes will only be possible again after December 13,” a statement on the country's official tourism website read.
Austria previously reopened to tourists from the UAE in July. The start of the winter season will now be delayed until after December 13, said the tourism board on Instagram.
As part of the initial 10-day lockdown, people in Austria must stay home as much as possible, only leaving for approved reasons, such as buying groceries, going to the hospital, for a doctor's appointment and for exercise.
“During the lockdown, a curfew is in place in Austria, and all tourist facilities such as hotels, restaurants (only take-away possible), bars, cultural institutions, leisure centres, etc are closed,” stated the tourism board's portal.
The measures are being implemented to help stem the spread of Covid-19, as case numbers have been increasing rapidly in recent weeks, with Austria recording a record high of 15,809 new cases on Friday. Austria's hospitals are struggling with patient numbers and the infection rate is about 1,000 per 100,000 people, one of the highest in Europe.
After December 13, if the lockdown is eased, Austria will implement a 2G-rule, which will mean vaccination or proof of recovery will be mandatory to enter most public places.
PCR tests will no longer be accepted, except for children, those with health exemptions and business travellers for checking into a hotel.
The rules will apply for hotels, restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas, ski lifts, leisure centres, Christmas markets, events and other public places.
Children under 16 will not need to show proof of vaccination, but must have a negative Covid-19 test result to enter public places. This does not apply to children under 12 who are exempt, except in Vienna when all children aged 6 and older will need an entry test.
Face masks remain mandatory on public transport, shops and museums.
From February 1, Austria will also mandate vaccinations, according to the country's chancellor.
Austria has had a slow uptake of Covid-19 vaccinations, with around 35 per cent of the population not yet fully vaccinated, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
Teams: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar
Friday fixtures: 9.30am (UAE time) - Kuwait v Maldives, Qatar v UAE; 3pm - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
