There was good news yesterday as the rules relating to Covid-19 in Switzerland changed.

New health security measures were announced by the Federal Council increasing safety measures, but also removing quarantine for most countries.

No quarantine for UK citizens

Previously people arriving from most countries were required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival in Switzerland or risk a $10,000 fine.

Now, only four countries – plus some regions of France – are considered ‘high risk’ areas and still require a quarantine.

They are Belgium, the Czech Republic, Andorra and Armenia – along with three regions of France, including Paris.

Quarantine will only be applied where the incidence in any country exceeds the incidence in Switzerland by more than sixty as authorities decided it was pointless to impose quarantines on people arriving from less-impacted regions.

New safety measures in place

The other main changes that were announced on Wednesday by the Federal Council include the following:

• Masks must be worn outside in public areas (such as markets and restaurant terraces)
• Masks must be worn in indoor public spaces
• Restaurants and bars must be closed by 11pm
• In restaurants, only four people can sit together, unless you are a single larger household
• Nightclubs will be closed completely
• Meetings of more than ten people are prohibited

Zermatt is open for skiing already

The whole of Zermatt’s mountain railway and lift system will be available to guests this winter – combined with various safety precautions to ensure the health of guests and employees.

These include compulsory use of masks for adults in the following locations:

• on public transport (trains, buses, railway stations, bus stops)
• on all cable cars (gondolas, chair lifts, ski lifts)
• in waiting areas
• in publicly accessible indoor spaces
• at indoor workplaces
• outside establishments and facilities (eg outdoor areas of shops, event venues, terraces of restaurants, markets)
• in busy pedestrian zones and wherever the required distance cannot be maintained in public spaces

In addition, the following rules apply:

• Clubs and discos are closed
• Entertainment & leisure facilities (cinemas, museums, fitness centres, swimming pools) are closed
• In restaurants and bars, a distance of 1.5m is required between tables and/or customers

Accommodation Advice

If you’d like advice on accommodation in Zermatt, please contact Ed or Suzanne from Matterhorn Chalets.