Switzerland Covid Information

In light of the ongoing global uncertainty around travel, the Bramble Group, undertakes a weekly survey and update of Government imposed travel restrictions in the localities in which we operate.

Please note that the information provided is only a guide and the Bramble Group cannot be held liable for its accuracy. Before making any decisions, guests are encouraged to check the restrictions in place with the relevant Government bodies.

Latest Update – January 18

• Ski resorts remain open (if authorised by the canton). Verbier and Zermatt are open;
• All non-essential shops are closed until Feb 28th;
• Restaurants, tea rooms, bars and clubs are closed. Deliveries and take-aways are possible;
• Private gatherings of a maximum of 10 people (including children), but the Federal council recommends gatherings to be restricted to five people from a maximum of two households.

Please see the following link for all details on the latest measures.

Travelling to Switzerland

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health draws on data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to determine its quarantine rules from countries deemed high risk.

All information taken from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health website and information about Ordnance 3 on Measures to combat the Coronavirus. Please refer to these URLs for detailed information on travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, exemptions and FAQs.

Restrictions on Border crossings and Admission to Switzerland for Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals who wish to enter Switzerland from a high-risk country or from a high risk region who do not fall within the scope of agreements between the European Community and its Member States or the Swiss Confederation shall be refused entry for leisure purposes without a permit.

The following countries outside the Schengen area are exempt from high risk status:

Andorra, Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Holy See, Ireland, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Uruguay

Quarantine for persons arriving in Switzerland

Further to the above entry restrictions, Switzerland requires people who are allowed to enter the country, but coming from pre-determined risk areas to go into quarantine.

The quarantine period is for 10 days. Within two days of arrival, people on the quarantine list must report their arrival to the Cantonal authority responsible and then follow the instructions on quarantine.

A negative test does not exempt people coming from the countries listed below from the mandatory quarantine requirement.

List of regions from neighbouring countries requiring quarantine

List of countries requiring quarantine on arrival in Switzerland

• Andorra
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Georgia
• Ireland
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Montenegro
• Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Panama
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Slovenia
• Sweden
• South Africa
• United Kingdom of Great Britain
• United States of America
• Czechia

Regions or countries in bold have been added at the last Government announcement (January 15)

Public Transport

It is currently obligatory to wear masks on all Swiss public transport.

Lift Systems in Switzerland

The ski lift systems in Switzerland are allowed to stay open with Cantonal authority. Verbier and Zermatt are currently open.

Lift systems are considered public transport and masks are obligatory.

Lift System Verbier

Verbier is committed to doing everything it can to stay open safely and welcome guests for the 2020/21 winter season.

Please see the most up-to-date information about Verbier here.

These actions are summarised in the key points below:

Lift System Zermatt

Zermatt’s entire mountain railway and cable car infrastructure is currently open with normal operating hours although the Cervinia-Valtournenche ski area is currently closed. This is due to a decision of the Italian government.

The lift infrastructure is following regulations and guidelines stipulated by the Canton of Valais and this includes all persons aged 12 years and older required to wear masks:

• On public transport
• On cable cars
• In waiting areas
• In publicly accessible indoor spaces
• At indoor work places.

Zermatt’s full list of measures and restrictions can be found here.

Restaurant, bars and shops in Valais (Includes Verbier and Zermatt)

Night bars, nightclubs, piano bars and discotheques are currently closed;

All cultural places including libraries, toy libraries, museums and cinemas are currently closed.

Laws around wearing masks

The Federal Council on October 28 announced that mask wearing is now obligatory in all public and private business closed spaces as well as in outdoor spaces such as markets or busy pedestrian areas where the respective cautionary distance cannot be respected.

A mask is also obligatory on all public transport and in stations throughout Switzerland.

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