ZURICH — Relaxing travel restrictions, the Federal Council of Public Health in Switzerland said persons from countries with a variant of concern like India, who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19, will be permitted entry without the need for a negative test or quarantine.
“For those people who are arriving from a country with a variant of the virus of concern, they will be permitted entry as long as it is certain that the vaccination offers good protection,” said the Federal Council.
However, those who have neither been vaccinated nor have recovered must present a negative RT-PCR test or rapid antigen test and go into quarantine on entry.
“The vaccines used in Switzerland are only slightly less effective against the Delta variant and thus still offer a very high level of protection,” said the Federal Council.
The Swiss government announced that Covid certificates would be permitted as supporting documents in case of international travel and areas of application in the country.
“From July 1, the federal government works on the assumption that anyone who wants a Covid certificate will have received one,” said the Federal Council.
“From this date, only Covid certificates will be permitted as supporting documents for the areas of application in Switzerland. This applies to cases set out in the Covid-19 Special Situation Ordinance, like, cinemas, theaters, and restaurants if they wish to restrict entry to those who are vaccinated, have tested negative or recovered.”
“In international travel and in the context of contact quarantine, alternative supporting documents are still possible.”
A Covid certificate allows people to resume certain activities and serves as evidence that an individual is either protected against the virus or it is highly unlikely that he/she is infectious.
As per the Federal Council’s line of action, everyday settings, such as public transport, retail, workplaces, and training facilities, where the Covid certificate is not planned in the ordinance, will be implemented.
Settings, where the certificate will be a condition, include international passenger transport, significant events, and nightclubs of dance events.
The Federal Council on June 23 had decided to relax the requirements for entering Switzerland after a decrease in new infections. As a result, persons entering from the Schengen area will no longer be required to quarantine.
Once again, it is possible for citizens traveling from countries such as the USA, Albania, or Serbia to enter Switzerland, informed the Council.
Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the requirements to work from home and to wear masks outdoors will be lifted, and restaurants will again be allowed to seat as many people together as they wish. In addition, large-scale events with Covid certificates will be allowed to take place without restrictions on capacity or the number of people present.
“Case numbers and hospital admissions due to Covid-19 are continuing to fall sharply,” said the Council. “In addition, around half of the adult population will be fully vaccinated by the end of the month. However, caution is still warranted.”
Shops, leisure, and sporting facilities will be able to make full use of their available capacity. Water parks may also reopen. However, a restriction of two-thirds’ capacity will apply to events and venues where no Covid certificate is required.
The rule for events without a Covid certificate requirement includes that up to 1,000 people may attend an event indoors or outdoors, and up to two-thirds of the venue’s capacity may be used.
The limits regarding private events continue to apply: no more than 30 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
Previously, the Embassy Switzerland based in New Delhi said that the Swiss Federal Council had initiated the process of accepting visas for entering the country from several countries, including India.
“The Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi is currently accepting all visa categories for persons coming from third countries such as India, who can prove they have been fully vaccinated,” said the Embassy.
It said that the Swiss government has decided to temporarily increase the service fee for Visa applications.
(With inputs from ANI)
(Edited by Amrita Das and Saptak Datta)
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