Reader question: Do Swiss still need Covid certificate to travel abroad?
As of February 17th, Switzerland has scrapped the Covid certificate. But what does this mean for travel?
Almost all Covid measures are being relaxed from Thursday, February 17th.
Covid certificates – which show someone has been vaccinated, recovered or in some cases has tested negative – will no longer be required in restaurants, cinemas or at events.
Under the framework, individual cantons can still require a Covid certificate for particular events or venues, however as yet no cantons have indicated they will do so.
Reader question: Which Swiss cantons will keep the Covid certificate in place?
While the Covid certificate may no longer be required in Switzerland, the Swiss government has indicated it will keep the infrastructure in place.
This will be partially due to a desire to stay prepared in the case of a new variant, but it is primarily so that residents of Switzerland will be able to continue to travel.
Covid certificates will remain valid and will continue to be issued for the purposes of travel abroad and visiting the EU, the government confirmed on Wednesday.
Existing Covid certificates remain valid for international travel and the EU, provided the underlying reason for the certificate is valid (vaccination, recovery or negative test).
In addition to the EU, individual countries within the EU and countries outside of the EU may also require proof of vaccination, etc, in order to enter.
Many of the reciprocal arrangements which exist between Switzerland and these countries will remain in place, meaning that your Covid certificate app and the inbuilt QR code is the best way to show compliance with these requirements.
Keep in mind that if you delete your Covid certificate app, the proof of vaccination or recovery contained within will also be deleted.
To get it back, you will need to again scan in the original documents to prove you have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative.
Q&A: Everything you need to know about Switzerland relaxing Covid measures
Can private companies or organisations still require people to show a Covid certificate?
Yes. Organisations and private companies, for instance nursing homes, nightclubs or bars may continue to demand Covid certificates to protect the health of their patients and patrons.
This can also happen in state institutions – for instance hospitals – provided this is approved of by the cantonal authorities.
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Almost all Covid measures are being relaxed from Thursday, February 17th.
Covid certificates – which show someone has been vaccinated, recovered or in some cases has tested negative – will no longer be required in restaurants, cinemas or at events.
Under the framework, individual cantons can still require a Covid certificate for particular events or venues, however as yet no cantons have indicated they will do so.
Reader question: Which Swiss cantons will keep the Covid certificate in place?
While the Covid certificate may no longer be required in Switzerland, the Swiss government has indicated it will keep the infrastructure in place.
This will be partially due to a desire to stay prepared in the case of a new variant, but it is primarily so that residents of Switzerland will be able to continue to travel.
Covid certificates will remain valid and will continue to be issued for the purposes of travel abroad and visiting the EU, the government confirmed on Wednesday.
Existing Covid certificates remain valid for international travel and the EU, provided the underlying reason for the certificate is valid (vaccination, recovery or negative test).
In addition to the EU, individual countries within the EU and countries outside of the EU may also require proof of vaccination, etc, in order to enter.
Many of the reciprocal arrangements which exist between Switzerland and these countries will remain in place, meaning that your Covid certificate app and the inbuilt QR code is the best way to show compliance with these requirements.
Keep in mind that if you delete your Covid certificate app, the proof of vaccination or recovery contained within will also be deleted.
To get it back, you will need to again scan in the original documents to prove you have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative.
Q&A: Everything you need to know about Switzerland relaxing Covid measures
Can private companies or organisations still require people to show a Covid certificate?
Yes. Organisations and private companies, for instance nursing homes, nightclubs or bars may continue to demand Covid certificates to protect the health of their patients and patrons.
This can also happen in state institutions – for instance hospitals – provided this is approved of by the cantonal authorities.
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