Does the coronavirus affect trips to Switzerland?

From the Euronews site updated yesterday: "Germany, however, decided to extend until August 31 its warnings on travelling outside the EU." Is Switzerland likely to follow this policy? I have a Swiss Air flight booked in mid-July from JFK to Zurich, and am wondering how best to receive a refund (not a voucher) for this unused flight. I was waiting to cancel until Swiss Air cancels my flight. Is that the best strategy?

Hi Maloja Snake! Unfortunately there haven't been updates about the options for (tourist) trips to Switzerland from non-Schengen countries yet. There have been some hints of possible easing of restrictions from July 1, but this hasn't been confirmed yet.

I'm not sure whether the German announcement was meant as an advice for German residents about traveling outside the EU, or whether it concerned tourists coming into Germany.

Anyhow, I'm afraid it's too early to tell whether or not your mid-July flight into Switzerland will be possible. I think it's indeed the best strategy not to cancel your flight yet. If you can, you'd best wait and see if traveling is possible for you by mid-July and/or if Swiss Air cancels your flights.

I'm sorry I can't provide you with more clarity at the moment! As soon as we have more news, we'll update the first post of this thread. Fingers crossed for you and all other travelers...

The New York Times just reported that the EU is prepared to bar U.S. citizens when it reopens its borders July 1 because the U.S. has not controlled COVID, according to draft lists seen by the NYT. (will also bar Russians and Brazilians.) The list will be revised every 2 weeks based on updated infection rates. The NYT report does not indicate if Schengen countries such as Switzerland will follow the same policy.

I like so many are hanging off any news we can find about our summer travel plans. I read the NY Times article...."Americans, so far, are excluded, according to draft lists seen by The New York Times". Where is the official web site that post the real information?

Hi Richard,

The official websites are listed here: www.myswissalps.com/coronavirus/prevention. But there's no final decision yet I'm afraid.

Hang in there, one day this will all be over!

Looking at the following web site....

www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/aktuell/aktuell/faq-einreiseverweigerung.html

The section at the bottom:

Relaxation of measures applicable to third countries from 6 July 2020

However, third-country citizens are still not permitted to travel to Switzerland on holiday: entry for a stay of less than 90 days that does not normally require a permit will only be authorized in cases of special necessity..

I would guess the focus is on July 6th to see the 'plan'.

Hi Richard123,

Yes, that's right. If all goes well, the Swiss Federal Council plans to remove more restrictions on 6 July. But I'm guessing some restrictions on international travel may still apply especially involving high-risk countries. Be sure to check our Coronavirus page again later for new updates: www.myswissalps.com/coronavirus

Regards,

Anna

Hi everyone,

Good news for travelers from Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay: entry into Switzerland as a tourist may soon be possible again. I updated my original post: www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/does-the-corona-virus-affect-trips-to-switzerland.

To be continued!

Hi

I'm planning to visit Switzerland in August this year between 21st August - 28th August from UK. I'm a Indian passport holder and currently living in UK in Long Term Work Visa with my family. I have got Schengen Visa from France embassy valid until first week of September. I had to cancel my original April plan to visit Paris and Switzerland together due to Covid-19. Now I'm planning to visit Switzerland only from Zurich - Lucerne - Interlaken - Geneva and then back to UK.

Question 1 - Am I supposed to travel Switzerland with the same visa as i've not travelled to Paris or planning to travel Paris anymore?

Question 2 - If i'm allowed to travel to Switzerland with Indian passport with UK BRP and Schengen Visa in August?

Thanks ,

Subrata

Hi Subrata and welcome to MySwissAlps!

these are very difficult questions. I believe that your Schengen visa that you already applied for is valid, but I am not sure. Please read this: www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/aktuell/aktuell/faq-einreiseverweigerung.html#Suspending%20the%20issuing%20of%20visas and the first post of this topic. To make sure I recommend to contact the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration. Contact details are at www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/ueberuns/kontakt.html. It might take a few days them to answer to your email, as they are very busy at the moment. There is a contact form listed for the canton of Zurich, I suggest you use that one.

I hope this helps,

Ildiko

Also check this one: www.myswissalps.com/coronavirus

Hello All.. Any idea what is teh status of travelling ban for tourists from Singapore. I was not able to find much information regarding Singapore based travelers.

Cheers

Max.

Hi Maxdave1980,

At the moment, foreign nationals from third countries (countries outside of Schengen area) are not permitted entry into Switzerland for holidays or visit of fewer than 90 days. This link may be useful: www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/aktuell/aktuell/faq-einreiseverweigerung.html#Information%20for%20international%20travellers

Some of these restrictions may be lifted when the next easing measures are announced on 20 July. Please check this thread regularly for the latest updates.

Regards,

Anna

I see that foreign nationals from high risk countries can now enter Switzerland if they are prepared to quarantine for 10 days. I have a couple of questions.

1. Must the quarantine occur in the immediate vicinity of their arrival port? Or may they proceed by public transport to their destination and then quarantine?

2. Are there food delivery services available to folks who are not allow to go out? Can they order online?

Hi Tourgypsy, welcome to MySwissAlps!

A 10 day quarantine period indeed applies to travelers from risk areas. The list of countries designated as risk areas will be updated each week or two weeks, so it's good to check shortly before your planned departure date. As for quarantine: you're allowed to travel to your accommodation right from the airport, and start the 10 day period there. It's explained at https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/quarantaene-einreisende.html.

And yes, there are lots of food delivery services, such as www.eat.ch. You can also get groceries delivered at nearly all Swiss addresses (www.coop.ch/en/delivery-terms.html or https://www.leshop.ch/en/supermarket/home(bm:service). If you're staying in a hotel, I'd advise you to contact the staff in advance and discuss which delivery options are available there.

I hope this helps you out!

Hi

I want help

I am from Egypt

Arrange to visit Swiss on 1 August 2020, for 1 week and 2 days in Italy,

I ask if i can enter swiss or not because of Corona Virus

Hi Merocasper, welcome to MySwissAlps!

Egypt isn't on the list of countries from which free traveling to Switzerland is allowed yet. Nor is it on the list of countries from which travelers are allowed in, but only if they stick to a 10-day quarantine. So I'm afraid there are no options for travelers from Egypt yet. The lists are regularly updated, so things might be different by early August. You'd best keep an eye on the official links provided in the first post of this thread: www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/does-the-corona-virus-affect-trips-to-switzerland. For details, you could try calling the infoline mentioned at www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende.html, or contact the Egyptian embassy: www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/representations-and-travel-advice/egypt/egypt-representation-in-ch.html#par.

I hope this answers your question! Fingers crossed things will soon change for the better. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Thanks Annika,

Can i enter from France to Swiss ?

Hi Merocasper,

borders from France to Switzerland are open, although they might restrict the free movement for the citizens of the Schengen-zone.

I recommend you to call the infoline,or contact the Egyptian embassy, just as Annika mentioned you, to make sure.

Take care,

Ildiko

Hi Tourgypsy! Just getting back to you concerning your question about quarantine. As things stand now, residents from the United States can't enter Switzerland yet. I'm sorry I can't bring you more positive news. The quarantine requirement seems to apply to travelers (apparently non-residents) who've been staying in risk areas for more than 14 days. We've updated the 1st thread of this post, and we'll continue to update it. I expect the list to change quite regularly, as Switzerland is monitoring the situation closely and will probably allow tourists from more countries back in as soon as they feel it's safe.

Thanks. I must have read that wrong. Well, I had a good time researching quarantine steps and may be able to use the information sometime in the future. I'll see you next year (hopefully).