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| Subject: | Health Alert – COVID-19 Information for Switzerland and Liechtenstein (April 17, 2020) |
| Location: | Switzerland and Liechtenstein |
| Event: |
Update for U.S. citizens regarding COVID-19 in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive health and security updates and to ensure the State Department can locate you in an emergency. Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s COVID-19 information page and local news. |
| New Information: |
The U.S. Embassy in Bern regularly assesses the situation and will re-open for routine consular services as soon as it is safe for both the public and our staff. Please visit our website for information on services that we are able to provide and for updates. Swiss authorities have outlined the following three-step plan for easing the emergency measures: Phase 1: April 27, 2020: Phase 2: May 11, 2020: to be confirmed April 29, 2020 Phase 3: June 8, 2020: to be confirmed It is recommended that teleworking continues until further notice. The public must continue to abide by the hygiene and social distancing rules Full press release available |
| Country-Specific Information: | Swiss authorities are now categorizing the condition in Switzerland as an ‘extraordinary situation’ under the Swiss Epidemics Act. Stay at home! Only leave the home if absolutely necessary. That means: If you have to purchase groceries. If you have to go to the doctor or the pharmacy. If you have to help someone. If you are unable to work from home and you have to go to work. |
| Flights to the U.S.: | Flights to the United States from Switzerland International commercial flight options currently exist in Switzerland. U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights in Switzerland and Liechtenstein at this time. Direct flights: There is only one remaining direct flight from Switzerland to the United States in operation, the Zurich to Newark route operated by Swiss International Air Lines. This flight is currently scheduled 3 times a week, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, however this may change it any time and without prior notice. The flight can be booked directly through Swiss or most travel arrangers. Transit flights: Many countries have closed their national borders. Travelers flying to the U.S. by transiting through a third country should work directly with the airline to confirm that they are allowed to transit. The Department of State does not endorse any private company and assumes no responsibility or liability for services provided by private companies. |
| Local Resources: |
For the most up-to-date information on numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Switzerland and Liechtenstein: Federal Office of Public Health (English) |
| Assistance: | U.S. Embassy Bern, Switzerland 031 357 70 11 (dialing within Switzerland) +41 31 357 70 11 (dialing from overseas) BernACS@state.gov State Department – Bureau of Consular Affairs Swiss Federal Office of Public Health Hotline Switzerland Country Specific Information
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To manage your subscription to these notifications please visit Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
