The Ischgl ski resort in Austria is due to reopen for the winter season with a raft of new, more stringent health regulations, following its botched response to the early stages of the pandemic which was blamed for outbreaks across Europe.

The Tyrolean ski resort of Ischgl is planning to reopen its doors on 25 November with several measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

"The goal is and remains to be one of the safest destinations in the Alpine region for our guests," stated Alexander von der Thannen of the Paznaun-Ischgl Tourism Association.

The new steps being undertaken to curb the spread of the virus include the use of cold fogging devices to disinfect cable car cabins, buses, ski shops, lift cabins and first aid stations on a daily basis, Von der Thannen added.

In addition, cameras will improve ticket office and lift waiting times by gauging the number of people present.

Ischgl hit the headlines when the pandemic broke out in March last year. Authorities were said to have reacted too late to signs the virus was spreading quickly throughout the resort. 

A number of tourists caught the virus at the resort and then travelled back to their home countries, taking the virus with them. As a result, the Ischgl resort cancelled the 2020-21 winter sports season.

No official guidelines have as yet been published by Austrian authorities for the forthcoming winter season. However, it is likely that visitors will have to be fully vaccinated, have recovered from the virus or show proof of a negative test.

Furthermore, visitors will likely have to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces and cable car cabins.