Switzerland to allow UK flights from Thursday but only for certain travellers
Switzerland has announced it will re-open its airports to flights from the United Kingdom from Christmas Eve but only for certain travellers.
Switzerland’s Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) announced on Wednesday that air traffic between Switzerland and the United Kingdom - along with South Africa - can again resume on Christmas Eve.
On Sunday, Switzerland announced that all flight traffic should be stopped “until further notice” due to the new mutated strain of coronavirus detected in the United Kingdom.
While that rule remains in place, from Christmas Eve there will be an exception for people who are resident in Switzerland but currently in the UK or South Africa - or those who are resident in the UK or South Africa but are currently in Switzerland - to return home for Christmas.
“Persons resident in the UK and South Africa currently in Switzerland, and persons resident in Switzerland currently in those two countries, will be able to return home from 24 December” the statement read.
Flights from Switzerland to the UK or South Africa will be permitted to leave.
While flights to Switzerland will also be allowed to enter again, airlines must apply to the government to be allowed to enter.
Everyone entering from a risk area will be required to quarantine. More information on the quarantine can be found here.
Who can enter Switzerland from the UK or South Africa?
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Only the following categories of person may travel as passengers:
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Swiss citizens (incl. citizens of Liechtenstein),
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Holders of a Swiss residence permit or type D visa from Switzerland
-
Holders of a ‘laisser passer’ issued by a Swiss representation in hardship cases
Official information is available in English here.
What are Switzerland's quarantine rules?
Anyone required to quarantine must do so for a ten-day period.
When arriving in Switzerland, you are required to contact the cantonal health authorities within two days.
Even if you have evidence of a negative test, you will still be required to quarantine for ten days.
More information is available in English here.
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Switzerland’s Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) announced on Wednesday that air traffic between Switzerland and the United Kingdom - along with South Africa - can again resume on Christmas Eve.
On Sunday, Switzerland announced that all flight traffic should be stopped “until further notice” due to the new mutated strain of coronavirus detected in the United Kingdom.
While that rule remains in place, from Christmas Eve there will be an exception for people who are resident in Switzerland but currently in the UK or South Africa - or those who are resident in the UK or South Africa but are currently in Switzerland - to return home for Christmas.
“Persons resident in the UK and South Africa currently in Switzerland, and persons resident in Switzerland currently in those two countries, will be able to return home from 24 December” the statement read.
Flights from Switzerland to the UK or South Africa will be permitted to leave.
While flights to Switzerland will also be allowed to enter again, airlines must apply to the government to be allowed to enter.
Everyone entering from a risk area will be required to quarantine. More information on the quarantine can be found here.
Who can enter Switzerland from the UK or South Africa?
- Only the following categories of person may travel as passengers:
- Swiss citizens (incl. citizens of Liechtenstein),
- Holders of a Swiss residence permit or type D visa from Switzerland
- Holders of a ‘laisser passer’ issued by a Swiss representation in hardship cases
Official information is available in English here.
What are Switzerland's quarantine rules?
Anyone required to quarantine must do so for a ten-day period.
When arriving in Switzerland, you are required to contact the cantonal health authorities within two days.
Even if you have evidence of a negative test, you will still be required to quarantine for ten days.
More information is available in English here.
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