Travel update: Switzerland eases travel restrictions

Switzerland recently became one of the latest countries to ease travel restrictions and entry test requirements.

As the pandemic progresses and more countries move towards considering the Omicron variant to be less of a threat, entry restrictions appear to be easing across the world. Switzerland is the latest country to ease entry restrictions.

Swiss authorities have announced that fully vaccinated and recovered individuals will not be required to present COVID-19 test certificates when entering the country

Non-vaccinated travellers may also travel to Switzerland, but are still subject to testing requirements.  

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EASED ENTRY TO SWITZERLAND FOR VACCINATED TRAVELLERS

According to Times of India, Swiss Authorities shared information stating that new requirements for vaccinated visitors had come into effect from 22 January.

The new Swiss entry regulations state that travellers who have fully recovered from COVID-19 or are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to provide a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result before entering Switzerland.

REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-VACCINATED TRAVELLERS

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) states that individuals who have not recovered from COVID-19 or are not vaccinated will still be required to undertake COVID-19 tests before arriving in Switzerland.   

Where test results are required, they should not be older than 72 hours for PCR Tests and not older than 24 hours for Rapid Antigen Tests.

OTHER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Travellers under the age of 16 will not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing.  Anyone with a valid Swiss residence permit or who has a Swiss passport, will be able to enter Switzerland at any time. There is currently no quarantine requirement when entering the country.

A Passenger Locator Form (PLF)  must be completed by all travellers travelling to Switzerland on long-distance bus services or flights.

By: Lorne Philpot