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Ski tourism in the Alpine countries causes excitement. Swiss neighbors in particular don’t like the fact that most of the local ski resorts plan to open during the festive season.
The EU Commission calls on its member states to examine a common approach to winter sports. But so far there has been breakneck growth: like Switzerland, Austria is planning a special route with openings. France, Germany and Italy, on the other hand, do not want to take any unnecessary risks due to the corona pandemic and are closing their areas. Now, the people of the three neighboring countries are threatened with consequences if they ski in Switzerland; France has already decided.
France: isolation for seven days
The French government wants to send travelers in isolation for seven days after a ski vacation in Switzerland. Also, they must be tested on a broad front. To do this, controls would be established at the borders with Switzerland and Spain, said Prime Minister Jean Castex.
The measure is aimed at preventing the French from becoming infected with the corona virus in open winter sports resorts in neighboring countries. The quarantine will be ordered if Switzerland and Spain do not close their winter sports destinations in January like France.
Germany: closure of all ski areas
Like the French, Germany disapproves of the Swiss special route. Chancellor Angela Merkel is in favor of the closure of all ski areas in Europe. For Franz Ulrich Montgomery, president of the World Medical Association, a quarantine of at least five days after the ski vacation is essential. “Anyone who still thinks he has to go on a skiing vacation despite the high number of infections should know very clearly that he must be quarantined afterward,” he told the Rheinische Post.
Until now, the ten-day quarantine obligation for travelers from risky areas, including Switzerland, still applies in Germany. More extensive travel restrictions have not yet been issued for winter tourism.
Italy: pending decision
A few days ago, Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga exchanged views on the location of the ski areas with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Many northern Italians own holiday homes in Switzerland. Resolutions are still pending.
The phone call began following a statement by the president of the Italian Health Council, Franco Locatelli. Locatelli called Switzerland’s decision to keep the ski areas open as “disappointing”. Calls for the ski areas to be closed by the end of the year or to be quarantined. He and other scientists advise the Ministry of Health.
Austria: no interference desired
For many people, skiing in Austria has a stale aftertaste. From the Tyrolean ski resort of Ischgl, the corona virus spread across Europe in March. But it became a crown hotspot thanks to the super spreaders during après-ski, and probably not from driving on the slopes. “Ski fun, yes, but no après-ski,” Sebastian Kurz said of the concerns. The Federal Chancellor prohibits interference from abroad. The state itself decides whether to open the ski areas.
In early March, the coronavirus spread rapidly in the cheerful après-ski spots in Ischgl.
imago images
Therefore, skiing will be possible from December 24. However, restaurants and hotels will be closed until January 7. For travelers returning from risky areas, Austria imposes a ten-day quarantine period from December 7 to January 10.
