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A new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus has spread rapidly in the UK. Governments around the world are concerned. The epidemiological situation is already tense in many places and hospitals are reaching the limit of their capacity. With travel restrictions, they want to prevent Britain’s mutation from spreading to them.
Switzerland has also reacted: on Sunday evening, the Federal Civil Aviation Office (Bazl) had already banned direct flights from Great Britain and South Africa. On Monday, the Federal Council adjusted entry regulations. There is now a general entry ban for all foreigners who want to enter Switzerland from the two countries. Therefore, tourist trips are prohibited.
In addition, anyone who has entered Switzerland from Great Britain or South Africa since December 14 must immediately go into quarantine for ten days from the moment of entry.
96 flights affected
It is unclear how many people are affected by the quarantine regulation. As Patrick Mathys, Head of Crisis Management at the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG), told the media on Monday, 92 planes from Great Britain and 4 from South Africa landed in Switzerland in the affected period. He spoke of 10,000 people who must be quarantined.
BAG has asked airlines to provide the contact details of those arriving. These must be delivered as soon as possible to the cantons, which are responsible for ensuring compliance with the quarantine.
Some Swiss, who are now stranded in the two countries, are also affected by the decision. Some two hundred inquiries have been received on the foreign affairs department hotline and the embassies in London and Pretoria. Since the Federal Council had advised against travel that was not necessary for a long time, Switzerland will not launch any return campaign this time as it did with the first corona wave.
Verbier is ready
The canton of Valais is particularly affected by restrictions on travelers from Great Britain. The ski areas around the Rhone Valley are popular holiday destinations for the British, many of whom have a second home there. When asked, BAG’s Patrick Mathys said discussions are currently underway with those cantons where particularly large numbers of tourists from Great Britain and South Africa have entered. Mathys left the question open as to whether mass testing could also be used: “We will work with the cantons to find the most sensible and effective solutions.”
Skiers on their way to the Verbier ski resort.
© Jean-Christophe Bott / KEYSTONE
In Verbier in Val de Bagnes, known as the “British ski mecca”, the municipality is currently clarifying with hotels and real estate agencies “how many guests in our municipality are affected by the quarantine regulations”. Eloi Rossier, Mayor of Bagnes, announced it upon request. You don’t want to give an estimate.
It’s already clear: “Compared to previous years, far fewer British tourists have come,” says Rossier. Also, most holiday guests don’t usually go to Switzerland until Christmas.
The federal council’s decision does not catch the municipality completely off guard. Bagnes has already busied himself with quarantine while preparing for the ski season. “We have been ordered by the Crown working group of the canton of Valais to draw up a list of available apartments and chalets where we can accommodate quarantined guests,” explains Rossier. Those affected with their own vacation home must be quarantined there. For tourists staying in hotels where quarantine conditions are not met, the municipality offers living space in private vacation homes.
Ski areas also remain open in Graubünden
The Valais State Council had not responded to questions about the changed situation at the time of publication. The health department only referred to the federal press conference. The Valais government had fought especially vehemently against the widespread closure of ski areas by the Federal Council. Last week, the State Council was “pleased” that the ski resorts can remain open.
In Valais, skiing will continue to be used for the time being, albeit with significantly fewer British visitors. The Graubünden government also decided on Monday to temporarily leave the ski areas open until January 3, “provided the epidemiological situation and the situation of hospital capacities do not change significantly.” The canton of Glarus, on the other hand, closes the ski areas at least until December 29.
