Background information

In order to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria has relied on intensive testing of the population. Tests are sponsored by the federal government and are free of costs for the population. They are available widely all over the country, e.g. in pharmacies.

In order to control the infections at the workplace, a programme for companies offering COVID-19 tests was initiated in early 2021. With such a test option using rapid antigen tests, the risk of a SARS-CoV-2 transmission is reduced, and thus increased security is provided to employees, employers and clients.

Content of measure

Company testing for the Corona virus is part of the national testing strategy in Austria. Thus, companies can register for testing and participate in the programme. For each test conducted, a cost contribution of €10 is paid by the federal government.

In order to be eligible for the national company testing programme, the company has to provide the following:

• Medically trained person(s) taking the tests (employed in medical services, e.g. nurses, paramedic)
• Medical supervision for a weekly confirmation (e.g. doctor, pharmacist, dentist)
• Additional supporting personnel
• Appropriate waiting area and testing area
• Personal protective equipment for the personnel engaged in the tests

In case of a positive test result, the tested person must immediately wear an FFP2 mask and leave the building. The positive test result is to be reported to Austria's health hotline 1450 and consequently, a PCR test is initiated; the health authorities must be informed due to the statutory reporting requirement.

The company's HR department is to determine which of the positive tested person's contacts at the workplace are to be considered close contact persons (who might have to quarantine themselves) and report them to the health authorities.

For the company, costs for the rapid antigen tests occur (between €5 and €12), as well as for medically trained staff and personal protective equipment. A cost contribution of €10 per test can be claimed at the AWS, the promotional bank of the Austrian federal government. The contributions are paid quarterly (starting 1 April 2021). Companies with over 50 employees are connected to the country's digital test platform, those with fewer employees can only provide analogical test certificates.

Use of measure

According to the health ministry, company testing is continuously being evaluated, however, no information on the number of participating companies and tests conducted in the framework of the programme could be identified.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Employers' organisations Company / Companies	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Not applicable	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Only employers' organisations
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

The mandatory employer organisation Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) and the voluntary Federation of Austrian Industry (IV) initiated the company testing to be included in the national test strategy.

Views and reactions

The social partners welcome this programme.

Sources

• 29 September 2021: Operational tests (www.wko.at)
• 28 October 2021: Company testing Act (www.ris.bka.gv.at)