ABSTRACT
Like other countries, Austria has been hit hard by COVID-19. However, the mortality rate has remained rather low in comparison to other nations. This chapter examines the present situation of COVID-19 in Austria, including an assessment of the health and economic costs incurred. It outlines the distribution of competences on health matters between the Federation and the Lander. The chapter focuses on the legislative and administrative activities on the federal and Land level as well as intergovernmental relations in this context. It then focuses on the transformations in the practice of federalism in Austria due to the crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Austria at the end of February 2020, as the new Federal Government formed in January 2020 was only a few weeks into its term. Intergovernmental relations and the Austrian form of cooperative federalism are closely connected and interdependent. The lowest territorial level in Austria was severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, particularly with regards to finances.
