Covid certificates required for restaurants, museums, etc as of Monday 13 Sep

Thanks for the update. We are set to leave Friday. It looks like each canton will provide a point of contact for digital certificates for non-eu citizens. One more thing to figure out in these uncertain times.

Not sure we are ready to unring the "cowbell" on the trip just yet.

I just got my Swiss covid pass yesterday for our October trip. It took about a week to get. Whatever canton you get it from is good for the whole country.

Hi mbeaulieu - will you please explain how you obtained your covid pass? I'm assuming you're American with a CDC card, but perhaps not. I've reviewed the instructions for each of the cantons we will visit starting next week, and all refer to vax done within the Canton. I don't see a way to apply using a CDC card.

Thanks Hooper!!! I was out with the cows all day today and had forgotten it was Wednesday meeting day.
I wouldn't let the covid pass discourage anyone from coming. I am finding everything to be so easy in Switzerland. My guess is they make it super easy for tourists to get pass or most p!aces will take CDC card.

I'm actually pleased about the new development. This will make me much more comfortable eating indoors if necessary. I would think a CDC card would be acceptable, but if the pass is available to international visitors I see no reason not to get it.

Lahlu here’s the website I used https://tracing-valais.ch/en/certificat and you can translate to English. Yes, I’m in the US and have gotten 3 Pfizer vaccines. I had to attach a photo of my CDC card. Be sure to download the Swiss covid Cert app. You will need to generate a transfer code on there and enter it on your website form. I got my code in less than a week. It shows up in the app. I was also able to put my EU code in the Swiss app as well.

I have to say, after traveling in France with the vaccine requirement to get in everywhere, it’s a little unsettling to be in Switzerland now with no idea of who we is vaccinated. Our first hotelier stated he was NOT vaccinated. I’m so glad they are changing direction. There are too many tight spaces (gondolas, etc) where we feel less safe now.

So I am flying into Germany on Sept 14th and then taking a train to Zurich and plan to stay there for a few days. Do I need to try and get Covid Cert for restaurants or will my CDC vaccine card work? Its all so confusing

We are traveling on the 17th, flying into Frankfurt and then taking the train into Switzerland. These forums have been immensely helpful! After reading them, I have downloaded the Swiss Covid Cert app, and applied using the suggested website https://tracing-valais.ch/en/certificat. I generated a transfer code from the app. It's a bit daunting when you have a US address, a US phone number, etc. I uploaded CDC card and a printout from my medical provider with a QR code (which the app would not accept) and even at the end I'm not entirely sure it all submitted. After I entered my transfer code from the app, it seemed like the website wanted another transfer code before I could submit. We'll see if it works. I plan to bring our CDC cards, printouts from medical providers (with QR codes), negative PCR tests - every piece of documentation I can think of! I was excited when I saw my medical provider now provided QR codes online, but they aren't recognized by the Swiss Covid Cert app. I will continue to monitor the forums for any other helpful advice or feedback. Thank you!

I'm having the same issue with the site - it says it needs to validate with a second code generated in the app, which can take up to 5 minutes to generate, but it's not showing up. So I don't think my application is complete.

What is the exact name of the app I need to download? Thanks

Hi all - I posted in the other certificate/QR code thread that char0308 started, but just in case some are not following that, I will share a brief summary here - you can check the other thread for more details:
I just spoke to a representative from the Switzerland Tourism office and asked specifically about tourists and the Covid certificate. He said that the govt is still working on an official solution for tourists, but in the meantime, the proof of vaccination that you have to enter the country should be accepted in lieu of a Swiss Covid certificate. So seems like no one needs to panic about being shut out of restaurants or museums if they are arriving soon and are not able to get a covid certificate.
Hope this helps

Thanks for the peace of mind Hopper!

Thanks for the update. My parents are on a train from Italy into Switzerland right now and I have been trying to figure out the QR code’s without any luck. Their cell phones are turned to airplane more so they can’t receive a standard text from the canton but the application I used didn’t ask for a email address so I’m confused how to accomplish this. Hopefully it all works out.

We are having same issue of not getting a validation code to complete application.
Thanks for the update, hopper, as we'll not stress about it any longer!

Such a relief, thank you Hopper for the additional info. Also nice to hear I wasn't the only one having issues with the validation code. Happy travels everyone!

Thanks Hooper!!!! I knew Switzerland would take care of us. :) Everything is so darn easy here. I want to stay forever!!!

Another data point and I may have missed this somewhere else.. but we checked into Hotel Eiger today in Murren and they told us that they may request to see our CDC cards on Monday. They said 92% of their staff is vaccinated (the ones that aren't are 3 people in the kitchen who do weekly tests). They said beginning Monday that folks won't need to wear masks while in the hotel. We'll likely continue to wear ours for the brief walk from outside to our room, but just wanted to add that to the thread. I think I'll feel more comfortable during breakfast knowing that everyone has shown their vaccination card/pass, though.

Just left Murren and checked into a hotel in Bern for two days.
The staff was nice but confused about the changes on Monday. The issue is the indoor breakfast. The staff were not familiar with our cdc cards. Staying in the hotel is not the issue, it's the eating. They offered to send breakfast to the room on Monday.
We told them we're testing Sunday for our return home Tuesday. They were relieved to hear that.
We hope the Abbott self- tests work out well. Will report tomorrow.

My parents have arrived in Wengen today and were informed they must have their Q4 code working before Monday or they cannot eat at the hotel. The hotel will not accept their vaccine cards as an alternative. I am sure its part of the confusion that this is a new rule and they all trying to their best to follow rules.
It just sucks that my parents are just getting there right as the new rule and subsequent confusion is starting. Hope I figure out this app and get the Q4 code today.
A similar thing happened when they were in italy before Switzerland. italy had just instituted the Q4 code, which tourists could not apply for, it took a week or so and the restaurants and hotels all calmed down and started accepting the vaccine card as proof, even by the time they were leaving barely anyone was asking to see it. it was a initial panic.

The hotel staff only have the same info as everyone else- they haven't any " insider" info. They are reading online and attempting to follow the rules. Everyone is confused , but the issue is the eating inside, not being able to stay at the hotel.

Just checked into a hotel in Luzern, day one of the trip, and they asked for our covid certificate/qr codes since we will be here until Monday, when the new requirements start. So yes, there is definitely some confusion. Good news is that my code came while I was on the plane. I applied through the Canton of Bern Thursday morning, so 2 days to get the code. For those curious about travel and entry, it was a total breeze. Vax cards and federal health forms checked by Swiss air at check in and then again by customs in Zurich upon arrival this am.

Hi Solo Steve,
Question, I applied on Thursday evening with the Canton of Bern’s website , uploaded passport and Covid vaccine card. I did not see anywhere in the application to put in any codes. Did you just receive an email from the canton with your Covid certificate and then scan it or enter the QR code in the Swiss Covid Cert app?

has anyone seen this yet?
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ca/planning/transport-accommodation/travel-to-switzerland/covid-19-what-is-opening-and-when/

"Immediate action, as of Sep 13, 2021
Here the possibilities for our Non-European guests for the transitory period as of Sep 13, 2021:
Repeated testing: we are unable to avoid repeated testing for our guests, please find an overview of available testing sites here.
Free-of-charge COVID-19 testing (COVID-19 antigen speed test) is available for all foreign guests until Sep 30, 2021, at dedicated test facilities specified by the cantons. We will try to provide a list of those test facilities asap."

Does anyone know how often they are subjecting the repeat testing?

As far as I know, antigen tests will give you a certificate valid for 48 hours from test, PCR is 72 hours. So you probably have to be tested every two days. The tests seem like they will be free at least (small consolation!).

I think it's going to be a bumpy ride until they come up with a solution for non-EU/Schengen tourists. Some places may accept the CDC card, some may not - guess we will find out on Monday. There are relatively few non-EU tourists here right now and this decision came very quickly, so it seems like a lot of the hospitality businesses are unprepared and have little or conflicting guidance from the authorities. I mean, Switzerland Tourism just told me the other day that there wouldn't be a problem but obviously things are changing quickly...

So sounds like it is still worth trying to get a Swiss certificate if you don't already have an EU/Schengen one (Or prepare for testing, eating outside and/or in your room). The drawback for US travelers is that, unlike EU/Schengen tourists, there is no standardized/verifiable proof of vaccination and maybe the CDC card is too daunting for every little restaurant and bistro to figure out (although the govt probably should have come up with a solution for non-EU tourists earlier).

Have been trying to get a Swiss pass with no luck yet.
Hotel has advised no breakfast on Monday without a QR code. Will not accept our the Canadian vaccine certificates as an alternative

Just ask the hotel to deliver breakfast to the room for your parents. Our hotel offered that solution.

We are in Bern, Saturday evening. The main train station is packed inside, and there are crowds of people outside pleasantly milling around. There was just a small protest demonstration, I'm Assuming against the rules.
Seems quite the contrast seeing crowds buying food in the train station, (sounds like live music, even, ) and the hotels worrying about serving meals indoors. People are masked inside the train station, but not too many children under 12 yrs are wearing masks.
Hotel employees are trying their best.
There are many outdoor eating options.

Agreed. We have asked about breakfast delivered to room. They said no. Not much you can do about that. So can go get some restaurant elsewhere and eating outside is alright…. Until it’s raining, which is what the forecast is showing for the next few days.

For Kelly, i simply received an email with a PDF code, and not a code for the app. My wife does not have hers yet, and so we will make due starting Monday until hers comes. Thats when we head for the Lauterbrunnen.

Luzern is busy today, but not hearing much English here. We are mostly hearing German, of course, Italian, and some French. The vibe is great. People masking indoors only.

Wow! We have been in Switzerland since Aug. 31, but have been with a tour group so have been oblivious to new rules. Like Solo Steve, we head to the Lauterbrünnen area on Monday. from Basel.
We were in Lausanne yesterday and heard that the Cathedral there would be closed beginning Monday because of COVID.
I guess we will need to figure out the Swiss QR code if we expect breakfasts in our hotels.

Ok thank you Steve! I did the same on the Bern Canton application and uploaded my vaccine card and passport , just did it 48 hours ago so waiting to hear back then hopefully that code I enter into the app. We don’t arrive until 9/23 so hopefully some kinks will have worked out

Kkelly- you still have a while before you arrive. I wouldn’t worry at all if I was you. I suspect Monday will be hectic and people will calm and figure it out and hopefully the government will realize that the tourists are having issues and it will all be sorted.

solosteve -- you mentioned in another post that when you applied with the Canton of Bern you put in your home address, not your location in Bern. Was there any issue with that? I did the same thing, and was concerned it might not come through. Reading through this most recent thread it sounds like I should apply for my husband as well, so I want to be sure to do it correctly. Thanks!

Hello, my name is Brian and I arrived in Zurich on Friday night Sep 10. It was a breeze clearing customs but I was completely unaware of the sep 13 Swiss covid certificate requirement until yesterday. I wish I would have checked this forum earlier but was so busy getting ready for my trip and assumed the CDC card would be sufficient. I checked into Lausanne yesterday and my hotel will not accept the CDC card for morning breakfast. They have a special govt scanner to validate the Swiss QR code (or I guess a EU covid code works also). Fortunately they will deliver breakfast to my room, but it is unsettling nonetheless. One of my upcoming reservations sent me a link to the Bern canton website where travelers from US and abroad can request a Swiss QR code by submitting photo of passport and CDC card. So i submitted for mine on Sunday night and waiting to hear back. (There is another Swiss website that says foreign tourists outside of Europe currently CANNOT get a Swiss certificate, so there is confusion and conflicting information out there). Is anyone aware of a way to get the Swiss QR code on an expedited basis? My trip will be over if it takes a week

P.S. If you are flying to Switzerland via London you have to get a negative covid test before your flight. I almost missed this one. Because Zurich accepts EITHER negative covid test or vaccination card, I assumed I was fine with vaccination only since final destination was Zurich. So even with a quick layover in London Heathrow and not exiting the airport, the negative test is required

I should have read the posts in this thread more carefully. I applied for the Swiss code on Sunday night through the Bern canton website (link below) and looks likes a couple others in this thread did the same. I see Steve got his in under 48 hours which is promising. Fingers crossed it will be even quicker on Monday now that the rules go into effect. I am currently in Lausanne but used my upcoming address in Gimmelwald, where I’m staying 4 nights (I gotta have more cowbell!)
I did not receive an email confirmation but I did get a green confirmation message on the website when I submitted. I will keep the group informed on progress.
-Brian

https://www.gef.be.ch/gef/de/index/Corona/Corona/covid-zertifikat/application-for-persons-vaccinated-or-recovered-while-abroad.htm

On the ground in Switzerland today, leaving for home tomorrow.
In Bern , at breakfast, the hotel was monitoring people in the dining room. They let us in to eat breakfast, as we'd been in the hotel a few days. However, the QR Code from our Abbott self- test ,(needed to fly home tomorrow,) wasn't working for the Swiss QR readers.
Many restaurants in Bern have set up outdoor tables, especially those on the pedestrian lanes.

Now in Zurich -
Hotel didn't ask for Covid test or cdc card.

At Coop store dining area, we were allowed to buy food, but had to eat on the outdoor roof area, which was crowded as a result , so don't come at high noon. We were checked as we entered the cafeteria, but no one really monitored us after that . Again, the Swiss couldn't read our QR code from the Abbott test.

Weather is beautiful, it's been a wonderful trip, but looking forward to seeing the dogs now!

Adding our experience in Switzerland today. Traveled by train from Basel to Interlaken OST, where it was announced that you could eat in the dining car IF you had COVID certificate.
When we checked into our hotel in Mürren, we were asked if we were vaccinated. This hotel will allow us to eat inside, but many restaurants in Mürren have a sign saying COVID Certificate necessary for indoor dining.
Thanks to information from this forum we filled out the application for the COVID certificate late Saturday night. Fortunately we will be in Mürren several nights so we can dine at our hotel, if necessary. Interestingly, we were told upon check-in that we do not have to wear a mask indoors, but we will continue to do so.
We’ve been in Switzerland two weeks, and have had a wonderful time with gorgeous weather. I must admit that this new requirement in putting a damper on our spirits. I’m just thankful we are in a small town now, and not a large city. We’re going to spend as much time as we can outdoors….except for very crowded cable cars.

Quick update on today’s experience. My hotel changed course this morning and accepted both US and UK vaccination cards for in-dining breakfast. As of last night, they very strict about the Swiss covid cert (I think enough guests spoke up and the manager stepped in and gave the approval this morning)
Second I took the boat from Lausanne to Chillon and had no issues entering the castle by showing BOTH passport and cdc vaccine card (thank goodness I remembered to bring my passport today). No mask required inside! I saw several other Americans there today
Third, I did in-door dining this evening in Lausanne and all restaurants have the “you must have Swiss covid cert” sign up in front. At first they said NO on my cdc card but I explained the current tourist situation with the new rules, and she went back and got approval from the manager for me to dine indoors (no outdoor seating at this restaurant)
So despite a couple minor bumps, I was 3 out of 3 for using my US cdc card (as long as I had passport and they could see Moderna on vaccine card). Ive also been showing my State of California QR code, which doesn’t work on their scanner, but looks much more legit than the handwritten card.
Now tomorrow could go much differently of course, so I’m going with the expectation that this will be hit and miss. Good to see signs of flexibility in complying with the new rules
-Brian

Brian great to hear that. If we make it to Sprungli ill try showing my CDC card and passport. But we are fully prepared to survive off of paprika chips and chocolate if we have to. :)

I can also add perspective. My parents were able to dine today at Piz Gloria without a QR code by only showing their vaccine certificate. Yay!

Carrie, if you make it to Sprüngli, my vote is for the limoncello spritz. It’s a very refreshing drink. I wish I could find it elsewhere.
Sprüngli is also at the Zurich airport and the limoncello spritz is on their menu

Happy to report that I just received my Swiss Covid Certificate via email this morning. I applied last Thursday through the Canton of Bern, as some others in this thread have done. I used my home address in the US, with no issue. I simply uploaded my passport, CDC card, and for good measure I also included the printout I had from my medical provider. I had downloaded the Covid Cert app (search swiss covid certification in the app store, it's the first one) last week. Now that I have the QR code, I simply scanned it to the app from my computer screen and it immediately populated all my information to the app and the QR code now shows up in the app. Yay!

Here's the link I used to apply for the QR code. Once you apply you can even print out confirmation that you have applied.

https://www.gsi.be.ch/de/start/themen/coronavirus/zertifikat/antrag-fuer-personen-mit-impfung-oder-erkrankung-im-ausland.html

jbmckinney12 - Good for you! I have had no success in being able to load that web site on any browser.

I applied to the Bern site Thursday evening and I got mine today as well.
I also applied last night on the Valais canton, and received my Covid certificate in the app this morning So that one only took 12 hours.
https://tracing-valais.ch/fr/certificat

Hi Kelly, that’s great news! What did you upload as vaccine support for Valais? Just passport and CDC card? I submitted to Bern canton on Sunday evening and so sounds like it’s taking at least a few days. I uploaded passport and cdc card only and checked all the boxes agreeing on background check. I wish I would’ve also submitted my California QR code which also shows the vaccination dates and appears more official being electronic. Not sure if that would expedite things
Brian

Hi Brian,
I just uploaded my cdc card and passport., on the Bern site and I did use my hotel address in Murren. I received it in my email (regular email inbox, not my junk) about 9am this morning . (Submitted Thursday bout 6pm)
On the Valais application I uploaded my cdc and passport and entered a transfer code from the Swiss Covid Certificate app. I picked a hotel in Zermatt on Expedia and entered their address and left the phone number blank. I did the application at 8 pm Florida time last night and received my certificate in the Covid app at 6am this morning. Currently our plans don’t include a stop in Zermatt, I don’t have a hotel booked there, but I was getting nervous that I had not received my certificate from Bern where we are spending most of our time, so my thought was just get one from somewhere and the Valais app was easy! Our first night is in Luzern and I can’t find a way to apply on their Canton’s website. Hoping with a Bern QR code and Zermatt QR code a restaurant in Luzern will let us in!

You only need one Swiss Covid certificate - so if you get it from Bern, it will be valid throughout the country. You shouldn't need to apply with different cantons. The cantons are individually responsible for issuing the certificates, but it is a nationally valid certificate (like your driving license is valid in all 50 states even though the one you live in is responsible for issuing it).

I fly out today and I was so relieved to see a Swiss QR code in my app! Thank you canton of Valais! I applied on Saturday and the code was there this morning (Tuesday.) I also applied via Bern - haven’t heard anything from them. I know I only need one Swiss covid certificate - I just panicked and applied to two because I was so stressed about getting one in time! And I had already applied for a French pass sanitaire on 9/6 since I am traveling to Switzerland and France - that also hasn’t come through yet but I was able to add my Swiss QR code to the French app so I think I’m all good! I am super thankful for this forum - I’m looking forward to a trip where I can pretend I’m European and show the QR code vs. having to show my American vaccine card all the time!

Good to know! About the pass valid in all canton, I thought I read somewhere you needed one for each canton you are visiting! Then I suggest using the Valais application for anyone who needs it quickly