Subject:Health Alert: COVID-19 Information for Switzerland and Liechtenstein (August 3, 2020)
Location: Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Event:
Latest update for U.S. citizens regarding COVID-19 in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
The Department of State and the CDC advise 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.
Current Information:
An overview of the measures eased and the restrictions still in place can be found on the website of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. Although many measures have been eased, people should continue to protect themselves and others by washing their hands regularly and observing social distancing.
Masks compulsory on public transport
Persons over the age of 12 are required to wear a mask in trains, trams, and buses, as well as on mountain rail and cableways and on lake and river boats, including on exterior decks. See the FOPH website for mask requirements, including how to wear masks correctly.
Entry Restrictions
As of July 20, Switzerland has largely followed the EU Council recommendations regarding entry requirements of non-EU citizens. Third country nationals who do not have rights of free movement and do not hold a valid permit allowing them to live or work in Switzerland will be refused entry.
Citizens from high risk countries are restricted from entering Switzerland.
Entry rules can change very quickly depending on the epidemiological situation. This list is subject to change and U.S. Embassy Bern recommends regularly checking the FOPH’s list of high-risk countries.
At this time the United States remains on the list of high-risk countries and U.S. citizens will remain subject to the current entry restrictions.
For further information:
Mandatory quarantine for persons arriving in Switzerland
Since July 6, people arriving in Switzerland from certain countries (including the USA) have been required to go into a MANDATORY10-day quarantine. This list of countries will be updated continuously.
If you are arriving in Switzerland from one of the countries with a high risk of infection you will be required to:
- Go immediately on arrival to your home or to other suitable accommodation.
- Stay there for 10 days from the day of your arrival without going out. Follow the instructions on quarantine(PDF, 142 kB, 06.07.2020).
- Report your arrival within two days to the responsible cantonal authority.
- Follow the instructions from the authorities
- A negative test result does not shorten the quarantine period.
Country-Specific Information:
The measures put in place to address the spread of the coronavirus are subject to change, and we recommend confirming directly with Swiss authorities for the most current information. For more details please visit the website of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.
Hygiene and social distancing rules remain in place. For more information visit Embassy Bern’s COVID-19 Information for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Local Resources:For the most up-to-date information on numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Switzerland visit the website of the Federal Office of Public Health.
For questions on entry requirements and permitted stay visit the website of the Swiss Migration Authority (SEM).
For information on quarantine requirements and entering Switzerland visit the website of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.
Infoline for people travelling to Switzerland: +41 58 464 44 88
Consular Services:
Although services for U.S. citizens are still limited, passport production has resumed. Visit our website to apply for a U.S. passport or U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad as well as Notarial Services. Appointments are available at the U.S. Embassy in Bern and the consular agencies in Geneva and Zurich.
Any person entering the consular section 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.
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
+1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada)
+1-202-501-4444 (from other countries)Swiss Federal Office of Public Health Hotline
+41 58 463 00 00 (staffed 24 hours in German, French, Italian andEnglish)Switzerland Country Specific InformationFollow us on Twitter and Facebook
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