The 3rd COVID-19- Protective-Measures-Regulation, which became in force on 17 December 2020, provides for restrictive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the Christmas Holidays. The 3rd COVID-19- Protective-Measures-Regulation will expire on 26 December 2020.

The essential points of the 3rd COVID-19-Protective-Measures-Regulation are:

1. Between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. of the following day leaving the own private living area is prohibited. There are several exceptions, e.g. job-related reasons, physical and mental recreation outdoors or taking care of pets (e.g. walking the dog). Meeting the closest relatives (parents, children and siblings) and a spouse is also allowed.
2. In outdoor public spaces, a maximum of six adults and six children of two different households may meet. 
3. On the 24 and 25 December 2020 the curfew restrictions don’t apply. On these days, up to ten people from ten different households are allowed to meet. No mask has to be worn and you don’t have to keep the minimum distance.
4. In outdoor public places, a distance of one meter must be kept from all persons not living in their own household. For meetings in closed rooms, an additional mouth and nose protection (mask) must be worn.
5. In shops and for the provision of services, the minimum distance of one meter and the obligation to wear masks applies to both customers and employees. Each customer must have 10 m² space available, otherwise the customer area may only be entered individually.
6. A minimum distance of one meter must be maintained at the workplace. If more than one person is working in an enclosed space at the same time and there is no protective device (e.g. partition wall), a mouth and nose protection must be worn.
7. Hospitality establishments may offer food for collection between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Otherwise, hospitality establishments must be closed. This does not apply to hospitality establishments in certain facilities (e.g. canteens in hospitals, schools) for internal use.
8. Accommodation facilities (including hotels) may only be used in exceptional cases, e.g. for job-related purposes or by guests who are already in the accommodation for the agreed duration. In generally accessible areas, a minimum distance of one meter must be maintained and a mask must be worn.
9. Leisure facilities, such as indoor swimming pools, indoor playgrounds, cinemas or theaters, remain closed. Exceptions apply to zoos, animal parks, botanical gardens and museums. These may reopen from 24 December 2020.
10. Ski lifts and cable cars may reopen from 24 December 2020. Certain capacity limits must be considered (for example, gondolas may carry no more than half the maximum number of passengers).
11. Events are prohibited regardless of the number of participants. In particular, planned meetings and undertakings for entertainment, amusement, physical and mental training and edification are considered events. This includes in any case cultural events, sports events, wedding celebrations, birthday parties or exhibitions. Funerals with a maximum of 50 persons are excluded.
12. Some events may continue to be held, e.g. sporting events in professional sports (without spectators), assemblies or meetings of statutory bodies of legal entities that cannot be postponed. Also excluded are professional meetings, if these are necessary for the maintenance of the professional activity, as well as meetings for necessary professional education and training purposes.