The Austrian government has announced Covid passes and face masks will be required to use ski lifts this winter, in a bid to attract overseas visitors for the first time in two years and prevent any further outbreaks.

The government stressed the importance of reviving tourism, which directly contributes around 5% of Austria’s economic output.

As confusion mounts over the coronavirus regulations, the new rules do not require all skiers to be vaccinated, leaving many details ambiguous.

"This year there will definitely be winter holidays in Austria," said Tourism Minister Elisabeth Koestinger. "We have developed strict rules for a safe winter."

Last season resorts were open, but hotels remained closed, thereby restricting foreign visitors.

Skiers will be required to wear face masks on enclosed ski lifts, Reuters reports, as well as show proof of vaccination, a recent negative Covid test or proof they have recovered from the virus, the Tourism Minister went on to say.

It remains unclear how people who have not been vaccinated on lengthy hotel stays would be asked to continue proving they had undertaken a recent test.

The new Covid regulations also include classifying apres-ski bars as nightclubs, the rules of which are due to become stricter as intensive care units become busier. Only people who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from Covid will be permitted entry.

"There will no longer be apres-ski as before the pandemic," said Guenther Platter, the governor of Tyrol province, including ski resorts like Ischgl, the place of Austria's biggest coronavirus outbreak in 2020.