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Anyone entering from a border region of a neighboring country does not have to be quarantined for ten days, even if the region has a large number of corona cases. The Federal Council decided on Friday new exemptions from the quarantine requirement.
For weeks, the risk of corona infection has been increasing both in Switzerland and in neighboring countries. States are coming under increasing pressure to take new measures to contain the pandemic.
The Federal Council has long relied on quarantine rules for people entering from risk areas. You have now specified these rules for travelers from the neighboring countries of France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein.
There are no access points near the border.
The general rule of thumb is: anyone entering from the border regions of these countries does not have to go through a ten-day quarantine. “Border regions can be excluded from inclusion on the list,” Health Minister Alain Berset told federal media. But it leaves a door open to stricter rules with can formulation.
At the beginning of the pandemic, there was an access point in Alsace. If something similar happened again, “then we will have to reassess the situation,” Berset said. In the Austrian state of Tyrol, the number of cases is currently above the limit of 60 new infections per 100,000 people. The situation in the border regions is stable.
“Unrealistic” border controls
Berset made it clear that the new quarantine regime with neighboring countries will not introduce any additional controls at the border. “That would be unrealistic.” The Federal Council was looking for a pragmatic solution. “We always watch what other people do.”
At the same time, he stressed that the authorities could not control everything. After all, each and every one of the individuals is jointly responsible for containing the crisis. Violation of the quarantine obligation is generally punishable.
Paris and Vienna on quarantine list
Of the neighboring countries, only the regions, but not the entire country, will be included in the risk list of the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). This happens when the number of corona cases exceeds the limit value, when reliable information is lacking, or when infected people have repeatedly entered Switzerland from the regions.
Nothing will change for returnees from risk areas that are not in the vicinity of Switzerland. You still have to be quarantined. This now also applies to travelers from nine of the 13 European regions in France, including Paris or the Côte d’Azur, or from the Austrian state of Vienna. The updated list of risks is effective as of Monday.
The Federal Council seeks balance
Cross-border travelers are, as already today, exempt from the quarantine obligation. Other countries do the same. With the regional focus, the Federal Council is also taking into account the close economic, social and cultural ties in the border regions, Berset said.
“We have to live with the virus without losing control.” The Federal Council sought a balance between protecting the health and the needs of the population.
Other exceptions
The Federal Council decided on new exemptions from the quarantine obligation. Cultural workers returning after a cultural event, athletes after a competition and participants in specialized congresses do not have to be quarantined. Also exempt from the quarantine obligation are people who have to travel to a risk area for professional or medical reasons and cannot be postponed.
The Federal Council has also adjusted the calculation bases for quarantine. For example, cantons can account for a stay in a country without increased risk of infection before entering Switzerland and reduce the duration of quarantine in Switzerland accordingly.
