Switzerland

18.10.2020

Confederation imposes tougher measures to combat coronavirus

From Monday, 19 October spontaneous gatherings of more than 15 persons are not permitted in public. A mask must be worn in publicly accessible indoor areas, including in all railway stations and airports, and at bus and tram stops. Moreover, there are now new rules for private events of more than 15 persons, and in restaurants, bars and clubs food and drink may only be consumed sitting down. Following consultations with the cantons, the Federal Council has adapted the Special Situation COVID-19 Ordinance accordingly. This now also includes a recommendation to work from home.

The rapid rise in coronavirus cases in the last few days is a cause for great concern. The number of cases is on the increase in all age groups and across all cantons. The number of persons admitted to hospital is also rising. The new national measures agreed by the federal government and the cantons aim to better protect the public’s health and to prevent the health system from becoming overwhelmed in the coming weeks and months. The intention is also to considerably curb the number of new cases so that the cantons can continue to contract trace effectively. Despite the restrictions, it is hoped that the economy can continue to function and people can live their lives with as little disruption as possible.

Masks now mandatory in the whole of Switzerland

The requirement for persons over the age of 12 to wear a mask on public transport has been in place since 6 July. From Monday 19 October this will be extended to railway stations including platforms, airports and other publicly accessible public transport areas. As before, persons who are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons are exempt from the requirement.

Masks are now also compulsory in publicly accessible indoor spaces including all shops, shopping centres, banks, post offices, museums, libraries, cinemas, theatres, concert venues, indoor areas of zoos and botanical gardens, restaurants, bars, discos, casinos, hotels (with the exception of guests’ rooms), entrance areas and changing rooms in swimming pools, sports facilities and gyms, doctor’s surgeries, hospitals and places of worship, advisory centres and neighbourhood centres. Masks must also be worn in publicly accessible areas of administrative buildings.

Face masks must also be worn in all schools and higher education establishments, in child-care facilities and in the training areas of sport and fitness centres if part of the centre’s precautionary measures.

Rules for private events

Many people become infected with the coronavirus when families and friends gather. Gatherings should be avoided were possible. At private events attended by over 15 people, food and drink may only be consumed while seated. Anyone standing up must wear a mask. Furthermore, hygiene rules must be observed at all times and contact details must be recorded. For private events of more than 100 people there must be a set of precautionary measures (as for public events) and may only be held in publicly accessible venues.

Gatherings of more than 15 not permitted in public

Spontaneous gatherings of more than 15 persons are not permitted in public spaces such as town squares, streets, paths and parks. The aim is to prevent private events moving outdoors. Organised outdoor events such as political and civil society demonstrations are permitted provided precautionary measures are observed.

Seating requirement in bars, clubs and restaurants

In restaurants, bars and clubs, food and drink may only be consumed while seated, both indoors and out.

Working from home recommended

The Federal Council has added a paragraph on working from home to the Special Situation COVID-19 Ordinance. Employers are now required to observe the recommendation by the Federal Office of Public Health for employees to work from home. This will prevent large numbers of people coming together, particularly at peak times, and reduce close contact in the workplace. It will also reduce the risk of a whole work team having to go into quarantine if one member becomes infected with COVID-19.

Since 19 June, the cantons have played the lead role in combating the COVID-19 epidemic in Switzerland. The Confederation still expects the cantons to conduct widespread testing, implement a sound system of contract tracing and employ targeted measures to help fight the epidemic.

Further information: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/das-bag/aktuell/news/news-18-10-2020.html

09.10.2020

No longer on the list from 12 October 2020: Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Namibia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.

The newly added countries and areas are written in bold.

List valid upon arriving in Switzerland from 12.10.2020

Areas of neighbouring countries

Germany:

• Land Berlin
• Land Hamburg

France:

• Region Bretagne
• Region Centre-Val de Loire
• Region Corse
• Region Hauts-de-France
• Region Île de France
• Region Normandie
• Region Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Region Occitanie
• Region Pays de la Loire
• Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
• Overseas area French Guyana
• Overseas area French Polynesia
• Overseas area Guadeloupe
• Overseas area La Réunion
• Overseas area Martinique
• Overseas area Mayotte
• Overseas area Saint-Barthélemy
• Overseas area Saint-Martin

Italy:

• Region Campania
• Region Liguria
• Region Sardinia
• Region Veneto

Austria:

• Land Burgenland
• Land Lower Austria
• Land Salzburg
• Land Upper Austria
• Land Vienna
   

Countries and areas

• Albania
• Andorra
• Argentina
• Armenia
• The Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Belize
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil
• Canada
• Cape Verde
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Kingdom of Denmark
• Ecuador
• Georgia
• Guyana
• Honduras
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Iran
• Iraq
• Ireland
• Israel
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Luxemburg
• Maldives
• Malta
• Morocco
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Nepal
• Kingdom of the Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Occupied Palestinian Territory
• Oman
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Russia
• Slovakia
  
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Tunisia
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom of Great Britain
• United States of America

30.09.2020

Entering Switzerland

Infoline for people travelling to Switzerland: +41 58 464 44 88 (6am–11pm)

Mandatory quarantine for persons arriving in Switzerland

Since 6 July 2020, anyone entering Switzerland from a country or area with a high risk of infection has been legally mandated to go into quarantine for ten days. You will find the list of these countries and further information on the page Mandatory quarantine for persons arriving in Switzerland.

Collection of contact details upon arriving in Switzerland

In some cases, the contact details of travellers will be collected upon their arrival in Switzerland. The collection of contact details affects all airline passengers as well as coach passengers from countries with an increased risk of infection.

There are two reasons for the collection of contact details: on the one hand, this guarantees traceability in the event that there were infectious passengers on board and a transmission of the new coronavirus is possible. On the other, the contact details are used by the cantonal authorities in order to monitor compliance with mandatory quarantine through spot checks.

Contact details of the responsible cantonal authorities

Contact your local cantonal authority within two days of your arrival.

25.09.2020

Mandatory quarantine for persons arriving in Switzerland

List of countries and areas

The countries and areas with a high risk of infection are set down in the Covid-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport Measures

If a country is on the list, this includes all of its areas, islands and overseas territories – even if they are not listed separately. Switzerland’s neighbouring countries are exempted from this regulation. In the case of these countries, it is not the entire country that is listed, but rather regions. Further information in this regard can be found on the page Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

No longer on the list from 28 September 2020: Kosovo, San Marino.

The newly added countries and areas are written in bold.

 List valid upon arriving in Switzerland from 28.9.2020

Areas of neighbouring countries

France:

• Region Bretagne
• Region Centre-Val de Loire
• Region Corse
• Region Hauts-de-France
• Region Île de France
• Region Normandie
• Region Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Region Occitanie
• Region Pays de la Loire
• Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
• Overseas area French Guyana
• Overseas area French Polynesia
• Overseas area Guadeloupe
• Overseas area La Réunion
• Overseas area Martinique
• Overseas area Mayotte
• Overseas area Saint-Barthélemy
• Overseas area Saint-Martin

Italy:

• Region Liguria

Austria:

• Land Lower Austria
• Land Upper Austria
• Land Vienna
   

Countries and areas

• Albania
• Andorra
• Argentina
• Armenia
• The Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Belize
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil
• Cape Verde
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Guyana
• Honduras
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Iraq
• Ireland
• Israel
• Jamaica
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Luxemburg
• Maldives
• Malta
• Morocco
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Netherlands
  
• North Macedonia
• Occupied Palestinian Territory
• Oman
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom of Great Britain
• United States of America

What to do after entering Switzerland

• Upon arrival, go immediately to your home or to other suitable accommodation (e.g. a hotel or holiday apartment). On the way there, keep a minimum distance of 1.5 metres from other people. If you are unable to maintain this distance, we recommend that you wear a mask. Avoid public transport if possible.
• Report your arrival  to the cantonal authority responsible within two days. Follow the instructions of the cantonal authority.
• For 10 days after your arrival in Switzerland you must stay in your home or other suitable accommodation without going out. Avoid contact with other people and follow the  instructions on quarantine (PDF, 182 kB, 12.09.2020).

Anyone who fails to comply with the quarantine requirement or the duty to report to the authorities is committing an offence under the Epidemics Act (in German), which can be punished by a fine of up to CHF 10,000.

The document ‘Instructions on quarantine’ can be found in various languages on our website Downloads in various languages.

 Top of page

Information on quarantine

Anyone who may have become infected with the new coronavirus must go into quarantine. If they fall ill they should avoid all contact with other people in order to prevent the spread of the virus. The quarantined person should stay at home or in some other suitable accommodation and not leave for any reason.

Who has to go into quarantine and how long must they stay there? What should you do if you are in quarantine and live with other people? This and other information can be found in the document Instructions on quarantine (PDF, 182 kB, 12.09.2020).

Children

Children entering Switzerland from a country or area mentioned on the list must also spend 10 days in quarantine.

11.09.2020

Mandatory quarantine: list of countries and areas

The countries and areas with a high risk of infection are set down in the Covid-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport Measures. This list is regularly updated.

No longer on the list from 14 September 2020: Ecuador, Faroe Islands, Guatemala, South Africa.

The newly added countries and areas are written in bold.

Information regarding Spain: the Canary Islands will be included on the list from 14 September, meaning that the whole of Spain is now on the list.

List valid upon arriving in Switzerland from 14.9.2020

List of countries and areas with a high risk of infection

List of countries and areas with a high risk of infection

• Albania
• Andorra
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Aruba
• The Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Belize
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil
• British Virgin Islands
• Cape Verde
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• Gibraltar
• Guyana
• Honduras
• India
• Iraq
• Israel
• Kosovo
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Maldives
• Malta
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Namibia
• North Macedonia
• Occupied Palestinian Territory
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Qatar
• Romania
• San Marino
• Sint Maarten
• Spain
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America (including Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Guam)

List of areas of neighbouring countries with a high risk of infection

Areas in France:

• Region Centre-Val de Loire
• Region Corse
• Region Hauts-de-France
• Region Île de France
• Region Normandie
• Region Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Region Occitanie
• Region Pays de la Loire
• Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
• Overseas area French Guyana
• Overseas area Guadeloupe
• Overseas area French Polynesia
• Overseas area La Réunion
• Overseas area Martinique
• Overseas area Mayotte
• Oversesas area Saint-Barthélemy
• Overseas area Saint-Martin

Areas in Austria:

• Federal state Vienna

At its meeting on 11 September, the Federal Council decided on the quarantine rules for persons entering Switzerland from neighbouring countries: only those regions of neighbouring countries where the infection rate is over the limit will be added to the list of countries and areas with an increased rate of infection, not the entire country. Border regions may be exempted from inclusion on the list. In so doing, the Federal Council is responding to the rapid rise in infection numbers, while still taking account of the close interaction between Switzerland and neighbouring regions. The revised ordinance will come into force on 14 September. At the same time, the list of risk areas will be updated.

Since 6 July, anyone entering Switzerland from a country or area with a high risk of infection has been required to go into quarantine for ten days. This Federal Council measure aims to prevent the import of the coronavirus into Switzerland and its spread within the country as far as possible. The Federal Council is now taking a region-based approach to neighbouring countries. Only specific regions of neighbouring countries will be included in the list of countries and areas with an increased risk of infection, in line with the practice in various other countries.

Exemptions for border regions
The border regions of neighbouring countries may be exempted from inclusion on the list. By allowing this exception, the Federal Council is taking account of the close economic, social and cultural exchanges that take place in the border regions. At the same time, the Federal Council is responding to the increasing numbers of infections in Switzerland and in various neighbouring countries, particularly in France.

Since June, the number of new infections in Switzerland has been rising steadily. While 98 cases were reported in the first week of June, at the end of August the figure was 1844, i.e. 18-times higher. In France, the number of cases is increasing even more rapidly and the number of new infections over two weeks in almost all regions of France is considerably higher than the limit value of 60 per 100,000 persons (14-day incidence). In certain Austrian states, a rise in cases in excess of the threshold has also been recorded, as it has in several Swiss cantons.

Taking a regional approach means that persons returning to Switzerland from risk areas will be required to go into quarantine, but not persons returning from regions on the Swiss border. In implementing this measure, the Federal Council is continuing to rely on members of the public to act responsibly. They should avoid travelling to risk areas if at all possible, or spend time in quarantine if they have travelled to these regions. Cross-border commuters are already exempted from the quarantine requirement.

The majority of cantons have expressed their support for this approach. However, some cantons are concerned that the new exemptions for the border regions will lead to increased costs and may lead to lower levels of compliance with the quarantine rules.

Exemptions from the quarantine requirement
Under the new rules, creative artists returning from a cultural event, athletes returning from competitions and persons who have been attending professional conferences will be exempted from the quarantine requirement. However, this exemption only applies if precautionary measures have been planned and taken at the foreign event concerned.

Also exempted from the quarantine requirement are persons who are required to travel without delay to a risk area for professional or medical reasons. The persons concerned must not remain abroad for more than five days, and precautionary measures must be planned and taken.

In addition, the Federal Council has revised the calculation rules for quarantine in the COVID-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport Measures. This will allow the cantons to take account of time spent in a country where there is not a high risk of infection before entering Switzerland, and to reduce the length of time spent in quarantine in Switzerland accordingly.

Coronavirus tests: Federal government reduces tariffs
At its meeting, the Federal Council also decided to reduce the tariff for a molecular-biological analysis for Sars-CoV-2 (PCR test) from CHF 95 to CHF 82 and that for a serological analysis (antibody test) from CHF 39 to CHF 25. It has also specified the details of various procedures.

Further information: Ordonnance sur les mesures destinées à lutter contre le coronavirus dans le domaine du transport international de voyageurs (PDF, 399 kB)

_______________________________________________________________________

07.09.2020

Mandatory quarantine: updated  list of countries and areas

No longer on the list since 7 September 2020: Belgium, El Salvador, Eswatini (Swazsiland), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Oman.

The newly added countries and areas are written in bold.

List valid upon arriving in Switzerland from 7.9.2020

Important: a negative test result does not exempt you from the mandatory quarantine requirement or shorten the quarantine period. This is because a negative test result does not rule out an infection with the new coronavirus. You will find the biological explanation for this on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.

The mandatory quarantine requirement does not apply to transit passengers who have spent less than 24 hours in a country or area with an increased risk of infection. Further exceptions are set down in Article 4 of the Covid-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport Measures.

Anyone who fails to comply with the quarantine requirement or the duty to report to the authorities is committing an offence under the Epidemics Act (in German), which can be punished by a fine of up to CHF 10,000.

_______________________________________________________________________

18.08.2020

Mandatory quarantine: updated  list of countries and areas

The countries and areas with a high risk of infection are set down in the Covid-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport Measures. This list is regularly updated.

Removed from the list on 20 August 2020: Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Singapore

The newly added countries and areas are written in bold.

List valid upon arriving in Switzerland from 20 August 2020

List valid upon arriving in Switzerland between 8 August 2020 and 19 August 2020

List valid upon arriving in Switzerland between 23 July 2020 and 7 August 2020

List valid upon arriving in Switzerland between 6 July 2020 and 22 July 2020

Source: https://www.bag.admin.ch/.........

              https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/CHE

_____________________________________________________________

14.08.2020

Travelling to Switzerland
Travelling from EU/EAA countries, including the United Kingdom, is in principle allowed.

All travellers entering Switzerland from countries or regions that are defined as Covid risk areas will have to quarantine for 10 days. The Federal Office of Public Health keeps a list of countries concerned, which is updated regularly.

As of 8.8.20, Luxembourg, Romania and Spain (with the exception of the Balearic and Canary Islands) are defined as Covid risk areas.

Travelling from Switzerland or returning to Switzerland
From the beginning of the pandemic, the Swiss Government has been advising against non-urgent travel abroad. This advice has gradually been lifted for a selection of countries.

Currently, the following countries are exempt from the general advice against non-urgent travel abroad: countries in the Schengen area, United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Monaco, New Zealand, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Urugay, Vatican/Holy See.

If you re-enter Switzerland having at any point in the past 14 days spent time in a state or area defined as a Covid risk area, you must immediately go to your home or to other suitable accommodation, where you must stay for 10 days from the day of your arrival. Also, you have to report your arrival to the responsible cantonal authority within two days, and follow its instructions. The list of countries and territories with increased covid-infection risks is defined and regularly updated in a Federal Act. 

Following the EU council recommendations, entry restrictions are lifted for a selection of third countries. It currently concerns: Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunesia, and Urugay, and the EU states outside the Schengen area (Bulgaria, Ireland, Croatia, Romania, and Cyprus). China is also expected to be removed from the list in line with the EU recommendations, provided it guarantees reciprocal rights of entry to people travelling from Switzerland.

An updated list of States and areas with an increased risk of infection is available at www.bag.admin.ch

Rules and Exceptions
Entry restrictions have been lifted for residents of EU/EEA countries (including UK), as well as for their family members (irrespective of their nationality).
Travellers that are required to go into quarantine willl be notified during the flight, on board of coaches and at border crossings. They will have to register with the cantonal authorities within two days after arrival, and follow their instructions. Airline and travel companies will be instructed not to transport sick passengers.
For updated information, also see the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) FAQs

Links to national sources

www.bag.admin.ch

Source: Driving abroad

https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/CHE

30.06.2020

Travel ban to Switzerland from Italy, Germany, France and Austria

End date: not available

Further information: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pa...