COVID-19, Travel regulations
CURRENT ENTRY REGULATIONS
As of 8 February 2021, new special
regulations for entry into Switzerland have been proclaimed: Ordinance on Measures to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in International Passenger Transport. The
list of risk countries, issued by the Federal Office of Public Health, regulates who will be required to quarantine upon arrival in Switzerland.
The following general regulations apply for entry by air:
- Entry form
- Covid test – reflecting a negative test result*
For entry from a country which is on the FOPH list of risk countries (p.e. South Africa), the following regulations apply:
- Entry form
- Covid test – reflecting a negative test result*
- Quarantine
Negativ Covid test* Travellers who enter Switzerland by air, will only be able to board the plane if they can present the airline with a negative result of a molecular biology test for SARS-CoV-2 (PCR test) carried out within 72 hours prior to departure to Switzerland.
NB: If the negative Covid test was carried out >72 hours prior to entry into Switzerland, travellers must be re-tested immediately on arrival in Switzerland at their own expense.
- The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA does not decide on exceptions regarding the requirements of a negative test result.
- The FDFA has no authority to issue instructions to airlines.
- The Airlines will decide at their discretion, if passengers may board the aircraft.
Possibility of a shortened quarantine
Travellers will have to undergo a 10-day quarantine if they enter the country from a country on the FOPH's current quarantine list. However, they can interrupt this quarantine from the 7th day onwards if they present the cantonal authority with a negative result from a rapid antigen test or PCR test.
Contact tracing extended
Until now, only the contact details of people arriving in Switzerland from a risk country or region have been recorded. New, and with immediate effect, all persons arriving from abroad by air, boat, bus or train must complete an online form prior to arrival. With this information provided by the traveler ahead of time, cases of infection can be identified more easily and transmission chains can be broken more rapidly.
Please also be informed that it is not the FDFA’s responsibility to issue confirmations for medical certificates and does not translate Covid test results nor medical certificates. The representations abroad do not provide information on the provisions of the exemptions from the testing and quarantine obligation. Persons concerned are advised to contact the FOPH directly.
Important: Passengers are advised to contact their airline directly in order to establish whether their flight will depart or no. For flight bookings or re-bookings, please contact your airline or travel agency directly.
Interesting links are:
Covid-19 Switzerland
FOPH Corona Hotline
For general Visa information regarding entry/travelling to Switzerland and entry requirements for transit air travel, please click
here.
More information on the situation and measures in South Africa
The government of South Africa loosened the lockdown alert for South Africa to level 1 on 20.09.2020. COVID-19 health and safety protocols must be followed at all times, including observance of guidelines for social distancing of 2 meters, sanitation and hygiene, use of appropriate personal protective equipment, like cloth face masks and the recoomendation to download the COVID Alert SA App, as determined by the South African National Department of Health. For detailed information please visit the Government of South Africa’s Covid19 Risk Adjustment Strategy.
As announced during the speech of President Ramaphosa on 11.11.2020, travels into and out of South Africa are now generally permitted under certain conditions.
For further information concering the entry regulations, please contact the South African Embassy in Switzerland or in the country your are currently staying.
As a further precaution, kindly contact the airline directly in order to establish of any special travel regulations they may require additionally - such as proof of a negative Covid-19 test ....etc.
Interesting links are:
South African Government
Department of Health
National Institute of Communicable Disease
COVID-19 General Hotline for the public: +27 800 029 999 / National Health and Laboratory service COVID-19 Hotline: +27 82 883 9920
WhatsApp Coronavirus Support Line from the National Department of Health: +27 60 012 3456