Switzerland to lift all Travel Requirements & Other Restrictions

Switzerland announces lifting all travel requirements & restrictions. The Swiss Federal Council announced the decision in a press release on February 16, stating that the new travel limits and other enabling measures in the country will take effect the next day, on February 17.

“Restrictions on people entering the country will be eliminated.” The Council declares that “evidence of recovery or a negative test will no longer be required.”

The Council also decided to stop issuing COVID certificates that are only valid in Switzerland, which were introduced last autumn for domestic use, at its meeting on Wednesday. However, EU-compatible COVID certificates will continue to be issued because several EU and Schengen Area countries still require them for entry into their territory.

“The cantons will still be able to impose a certificate requirement, as they requested,” according to the press release.

Another measure that will be repealed is the requirement to wear a mask when entering stores, restaurants, cultural venues, and other public places and events. The requirement to wear a mask at work has also been removed, as has the recommendation to work from home.

However, the requirement to isolate in the event of a positive COVID-19 test result, as well as the requirement to wear a mask in public transportation, hospitals, and other healthcare institutions, will remain in effect until the end of March.

At its meeting held on Wednesday, the Council has also decided to stop issuing COVID certificates that are valid only in Switzerland, which were introduced last autumn for domestic use. Yet, EU-compatible COVID certificates will continue to be issued since several EU, and Schengen Area countries still require such certificates for entry into their territory.

“The cantons will, as they requested, still be able to impose a certificate requirement,” the press release said.

Another measure that will be removed is the obligation to wear a mask in order to enter shops, restaurants, cultural venues, and other public settings and events. The obligation to wear a mask at workplaces has also been lifted, as well as the recommendation to work from home.

Yet, the obligation to isolate in case of a positive COVID-19 test result will remain in place, as well as the obligation to wear a mask in public transport, in hospitals, and other healthcare institutions, until the end of March.

Switzerland’s move to remove the majority of COVID-19 restrictions was warned by SchengenVisaInfo.com at the beginning of the month when the obligation to work from home was removed and started applying only as a recommendation.

Source: https://bit.ly/3rY8cVK