AR
UR
The Swiss government has eased a wide range of safety measures put in place to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to reports, travellers from the UAE are not required to fill out entry forms, show vaccine certificate, or provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test for entry into Switzerland. In addition, reports have noted that face masks are not required to be worn in public places and during entry into shops and restaurants in the country.
These updated rules have been effective from February 17 and apply to most of the countries in the Gulf region.
However, the rules mandate people who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate themselves in order to contain the spread of the virus. Furthermore, masks are required to be worn in public transport and in healthcare settings until the end of March.
Massimo Baggi, ambassador of Switzerland to the UAE and Bahrain, underlined that the rules have been updated to ensure return to normalcy in Switzerland as COVID-19 cases reduce in the country.
"The healthcare system is not deemed at risk of becoming overwhelmed,” Baggi added.
The decision to update COVID-19 safety rules was taken after consultation by the Swiss Federal Council. During the meeting, a clear majority of respondents expressed their support to lifting most of the existing precautionary measures with immediate effect.
Baggi also noted that the authorities are expected to end all special circumstances on April 1, depending on the positive outlook of the epidemiological situation in the country.
“As the epidemiological situation in Switzerland continues to develop positively, this is another significant step towards finally letting visitors freely explore our country once again. We look forward to welcoming many tourists from the region to Switzerland in the upcoming months," the Ambassador added.
Matthias Albrecht, director GCC, Switzerland Tourism, welcomed the updated protocols allowing visitors from the UAE to freely travel to Switzerland as before.
SOURCE: Khaleej Times