FYI—Swiss gov. Aug. 11 meeting details

Here is the press release:

https://www.admin.ch/gov/it/pagina-iniziale/documentazione/comunicati-stampa/comunicati-stampa-consiglio-federale.msg-id-84676.html

No mention of changes to the current entry requirements.

The focus is on getting more people vaccinated.

Current protective measures to remain in place. (e.g. the obligation to wear a mask indoors and on public transport or the COVID certificate for large events and discos).

Next meeting Sept. 1 to reassess.

Thank you for keeping us informed!

Thanx so much Carrie. I'm sure you're as relieved as I. When arrive 27 Aug so any 1 Sep meeting isn't likely to affect us. We were originally scheduled for this tour the date was at the beginning of Sep 2020. When it had to be rescheduled we ended up with an end of August date which I wasn't thrilled with. Now I'm glad.

Next step, trying to predict the weather and what to pack. Where's my crystal ball when I need it?

Such a relief! Thanks, Carrie, for being on top if this!

Thanks Carrie- so far so good, hope things don't change when we are in the air!

The EU also didn't seem to change much on their policies.

Fingers crossed!

Cj, I don’t leave until Sept. 2nd. I don’t think I’ll feel relieved until I’m on the plane and on my way. 😊

Totally agree with you Carrie…..I am hoping you will be posting daily so those of us coming behind you can see what is going on from your perspective!

Thank you for sharing this information! I've been trying to locate it but no one seems to discuss it much.

We are scheduled to fly out Sept 10th but I too will not be relieved until I step out of the Zurich airport! Of course we purchased travel insurance and have a plan B for our vacation in the states, but we've already had to cancel this trip once (last year) and looking forward to it so much!

Fingers crossed for everyone!!!

We’re leaving August 23, I will try to post from Zurich or Montreux (our first stops). This is such good news!

Jane, I’m happy to report back when I get there. Remind me when you leave again.

Jamie, I signed up for a Swiss newspaper, Tages-Anzeiger, which has been reporting live from the COVID press conferences, in addition to the daily news. I also check the twitter account for, André Simonazzi, who is the gov. spokesman, and the press releases that the gov. puts out. This is the third time we’ve rescheduled our trip, so hopefully we can make it this time. This is my first trip to Europe and I have about 10 more planned so I need to get started. 😊

Cchapin, you leave soon!!! Safe travels and looking forward to your reports.

I just ordered my money. I know, don’t order it ahead of time, but I did!!!!! 😊 I had read reports here of cards not working so I didn’t want to risk it.

I finally felt confident enough of this happening that I did our Swiss Entry Forms online. Fortunately we have seat assignments so no problems other than figuring out things like it has to be United States of America and the way they enter addresses. Thankfully, once I'd gotten mine done and went back to do my husband's it had saved most of the info so I could just click on the answer.

We're going business class and I'll likely be sipping champagne of the flight into Geneva from sheer relief. Then collapsing in exhaustion once we arrive at the hotel in Lausanne. Been waiting 2 years for this tour.

Next week I tackle the next chore - requesting covid passes from France for the second leg of this adventure. Got all my docs in a row (scanned and saved on the computer) so just hope it goes thru okay before we head for Switzerland.

Oh Carrie I really hope you're able to go! We've done hop-around trips to Europe a few times (not through any company, just planned ourselves) and absolutely love it! Didn't care for Paris but think it should be on everyone's bucket list. Absolutely love Austria, Germany and Prague (didn't really see much of anything else in Czech). Really enjoyed London! Love Dubrovnik and want to explore the rest of Croatia one day! Rome is amazing if you like history and architecture but didn't care much for Venice. Again, should be on everyone's bucket list! Athens... well, we really enjoyed our short time there but can see how it wouldn't be for everyone. And that being said, I know people that LOVE Paris and Venice - it's really all about what you enjoy when you're on vacation. Hopefully you'll have the opportunity soon to see all of it!
Feel free to reach out personally if you have specific questions about any location or want the real pros and cons! I love to talk about it :-)

Also, our last trip we spent a very short time in Switzerland and regretted that ever since. Our typical vacation is a two week trip that usually includes about 8-10 different cities and at least 5-7 different countries. We've based an entire 2 week vacation solely on Switzerland - so that should tell you how incredible it is! I really am rooting for you to go! It is incredibly stunning and, while very different from other European destinations, absolutely one of our very top favorite places ever!

Anyone in or near Lauterbrunnen Aug 30-Sept 27, LMK. We'll hoist a brew! (Outdoors, of course.)

Cj, I’m holding off another week or so on the entry form just in case my flight changes. We’re applying for the French covid pass too as we have a couple of day trips planned from Basel to Colmar and Strasbourg. I actually sent mine in already, before I read about waiting until Aug. 15th, but haven’t heard back yet.

Jamie Lynne, thanks so much for the offer to help. We are planning for Italy in the Spring and then I hope to return to Switzerland next Fall by myself to see how I do traveling solo. I’m lucky that I get about 9 weeks vacation from work so I’d like to start taking advantage of that and do something other than cleaning the house with my time off. I’ve watched so many video on Switzerland that I can’t wait to go and see it for myself. It really seems unbelievable.

Laurel, we’re in Lauterbrunnen Sept. 7-12. I have a feeling though that the exercise and fresh mountain air is going to knock us out and we’ll all be asleep by 5. 😊 Are you really there for an entire month? Lucky, lucky!!!!

Laurel - My husband and I will be in Lauterbrunnen Sept 3-6. Would love to meet up for a beer!

Yes, Carrie, a whole month! We need to update our book that came out just as the pandemic started in 2020. We have a lot of research to do and a great base apartment to do it from. 😁

Carrie, I believe you can update the forms if something changes after you fill them out. In fact, that is one of their FAQ answers to what to do if you don't have seat numbers. Just enter a fictional one then update it before you arrive. My siblings are on the tour with us on different flights and don't have their seat numbers yet so that's what they are doing. I've printed out hard copies to bring with just in case I need to make a last minute change but don't have internet access.

We’ll be there 8/30. Outside well distanced beers possible?

During mid/late-July, we were able to update our seats quite easily via the link that was contained in the email with the QR code that arrived after filling out the online Swiss entry form. I believe we could also have updated the flight information, too. I don't believe you could update anything else if you misspelled or mistyped information. As I recall, if there were other errors, the instructions were to start over with a new online Swiss entry form. The Swiss website is way easier to navigate and manage than the UK online PLF forms.

Nurses, welcome back!!! I hope you had a great trip.

CJ and nurses, I think part of the reason I haven’t fill out the entry form yet, is that I’m afraid it’s going to jinx the trip. We’ve had to reschedule a few times, so I’m a little cautious this time around. I have all my trip notes, maps, etc. still on my computer. I probably won’t print those out until a week or so before we go. But I do have a growing mess of things in my home-office that I plan to take.

Nurses! Love to hear about your trip! We leave next week, did my Swiss forms yesterday and it was a snap, very easy.

Laurel, We'll be in Lauterbrunnen (Mürren and Wengen) from September 13, for a week. At the top of my list is to hike from Männlichen-Klein Scheidegg. We've never been to Wengen.
(Totally off-subject: Before the RS Best of Italy Tour in 2018, we bought your Walking in Italy's Val Gardena book. We did the Trail of the Witches after a short hike with the group in the morning).
It wasn't until just a few months ago, that I "connected the dots" and realized that you and your husband (on this forum) were the authors of the book.

Laurel, what an amazing place to spend a month! I'm going to be there for a week starting on Aug 31. (I'm actually staying up the hill in Wengen.)

We are flying from the US and will spend a week in London visiting family before heading to Switzerland. Should we put the US as our departure location on our Swiss entry form or the UK since we're actually spending time outside of airport?
Thanks for your thoughts!

Hi Susan, I believe this answers your question:

The country you are entering from is generally the country from which
you have just arrived.

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/sem/aktuell/faq-einreiseverweigerung.html

So, in your case, i would use England as your departure country.

Thank you, Carrie!

We'll be in Lauterbrunnen and Murren Sept. 19-23.