Subject: |
Health Alert – COVID-19 Information for Switzerland and Liechtenstein (June 8, 2020) |
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Location: |
Switzerland and Liechtenstein |
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Event: |
Latest 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. |
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Consular Services: |
At this time, we can only offer limited services for U.S. citizens. Please visit the Embassy’s website for more information on services that we are able to provide and for any updates.
Any person entering the consular section for an emergency appointment will be required to wear a face covering; children under six years old and those unable to wear a covering are exempt from this requirement. |
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Current Information: |
As of 6 June, Swiss Authorities have further relaxed restrictive measures. For a complete list of open/permitted activities please visit the website of the SwissFederal Office of Public Health A Note on Border Openings and International Travel: The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. Please see the Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel for details.
Swiss authorities have announced that entry restrictions with neighboring countries as well as other Schengen countries are scheduled to be lifted as of June 15. Please note that the Swiss decision to lift entry restrictions into Switzerland is not necessarily based on a mutual agreement with the other country.
There is currently no date as of when Switzerland will lift the current entry restrictions for U.S. citizens. |
Country-Specific Information: |
Swiss Authorities have announced that effective June 19th the situation in Switzerland will be downgraded from an “extraordinary situation” to a “special situation” under the terms of the Epidemics Act. Hygiene and social distancing rules remain in place. |
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Entry and Exit Requirements: |
Generally, all foreign nationals who wish to enter Switzerland and do not hold a valid residence or work permit will be refused entry.
Exceptions are possible and new categories for cases of special necessity are added regularly. In cases of special necessity, it is possible to enter Switzerland despite the entry ban. For a full list of persons exempted by the entry ban please visit the website of the Swiss Migration Authority (SEM).
Business Travelers There is the possibility to enter Switzerland for important business appointments which cannot be postponed and have to be in person. At the moment a special entry permit is needed to enter Switzerland for business travel. This application can be sent directly to corona@sem.admin.ch, including for example the following documents: appointment confirmation, copy of passport, travel itinerary, reason for urgency of appointment/visit, and the reason for the need to be present personally.
General opening of the borders to Austria, Germany, and France The relevant ministries agreed to lift all travel restrictions between their respective countries from 15 June.
Switzerland to lift entry restrictions for all Schengen states If developments with respect to the pandemic in Switzerland and in the Schengen Area permit,Swiss authorities have announced plans to lift the entry restrictions for travelers from all other Schengen countries as of June 15. Please note that the Swiss decision to lift entry restrictions into Switzerland is not necessarily based on a mutual agreement with the other country.
Travel restrictions for Third Countries (incl. USA) There is currently no date as of when Switzerland will lift the current entry restrictions for U.S. citizens. The Swiss Migration Office stated in a press release on May 27 that Swiss authorities “will decide on lifting entry restrictions for third countries [including the USA] at a later date and in consultation with the Schengen member states.”
Please also note that the Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.
For questions on entry requirements and permitted stay please visit the website of the Swiss Migration Authority (SEM)
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Flights to the U.S.: |
Flights to the United States from Switzerland These flights can be booked directly through Swiss International Air Lines or most travel arrangers.
Note that Swiss International Air Lines is asking all passengers to bring their own mouth-nose face covering to wear on board all flights.
The Department of State does not endorse any private company and assumes no responsibility or liability for services provided by private companies. Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions affecting travel to the U.S. For more information visit Embassy Bern’s COVID19 Information Page FAQs. |
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Local Resources: |
For the most up-to-date information on numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Switzerland and Liechtenstein: |
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Assistance: |
U.S. Embassy Bern, Switzerland
State Department – Bureau of Consular Affairs Swiss Federal Office of Public Health Hotline Switzerland Country Specific Information Follow us on Twitter and Facebook Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates Get Alertswiss, a mobile app by the Federal Office for Civil Protection, to help you plan for and stay safe in an emergency while in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. |