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What many feared has happened: the coronavirus has mutated and has become even more aggressive and contagious. Right now, the new form of the virus is raging, especially in Britain, the first countries have already imposed entry bans from Britain. Fear in this country too: Are the English bringing the mutated virus to Switzerland now?
A haunting setting for the Verbier ski destination. The mountain town of Valais is considered a British hotspot. “About 21 per cent of all guests are from Great Britain,” tourism chief Simon Wiget tells BLICK. After the Swiss, they are the second largest group of guests.
The head of tourism is alarmed
“The naturally mutated virus worries us,” says Wiget. “But at the moment we still don’t know enough about it.” Tomorrow he would call a meeting and discuss the situation with his team. “If the mutated virus is problematic, we will have to take action,” says the tourism chief.
There were not many Brits in Verbier at this time. “Due to the closure, we have far fewer guests from Britain this year,” says Wiget. Everything has been re-sealed in Britain since November 5. At the moment, there are more French and Swiss in the mountain village.
Whoever wants can come
But the big rush could still be ahead: “Traditionally, the English tend to come after Christmas,” says tourism director Simon Wiget. Then the British would have a vacation.
The question is whether the entry requirements for Great Britain will change by then. At the moment, all British people can come to Switzerland. There is no entry ban or quarantine requirement. Keep an eye on the situation, says the Federal Office of Public Health at BLICK’s request.
Already the first entry stops
Meanwhile, other governments have already responded. The Netherlands and Belgium have already issued entry bans, and Germany is considering one.
In the UK, the authorities are very concerned. The situation is out of control, Health Minister Matt Hancock tells the “BBC” on Sunday. “We have to get them back under control.”
According to initial findings by British scientists, the recently discovered variant of the virus is up to 70 percent more contagious than the previously known form.
