September Switzerland Trip

Hi Jane,

Are you aware of the website - -

https://travel.state.gov/

This is what is on there right now - -

As of April 2021:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/switzerland-travel-advisory.html

It's good to check every so often on that website as well as the CDC for any new updates.

I read everyday about things opening, maybe not 100%, but that could change each month. I am assuming it depends on the numbers remaining low. The Hotel Sacher in Vienna had a video on their FB page announcing their opening. They opened the hotel doors with much fanfare and it looked like every employee came streaming out, some carrying a banner that read Welcome Back, and others with balloons and umbrellas. This was yesterday. We plan on going to Croatia in September to visit family but we always tack on another city/cities to visit. I am hoping for either Florence/Bologna/Padua or Paris, just waiting for news of their openings. Originally, in 2020, it was going to be the RS Turkey tour, our first, but I don’t believe that will be an option this year. Maybe 2022.

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/sem/aktuell/faq-einreiseverweigerung.html#2004672293

https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/quarantaene-einreisende.html

https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2020/438/en#app1 See Annex 1 85

https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/liste.html See Coronavirus: FOPH list of risk countries (updates)

I live in Germany, a border region and in a Bundesland not listed in the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) list of risk. Allowing things do not change, I will drive in for a vacation 20 June 21. If I understand correctly, The United States is still considered a Country of high risk.

You always have to read the fine print with all these reports on re-opening. Often, the "opening" rules apply only to people in excepted categories, not every American tourist.

It is a guess as to what September status will be. I am ever optimistic that the EU will be open to us before fall as we plan to be there as well. After all, the EU announced intentions to be open to vaccinated travelers "sometime this summer."

I have very little booked for our trip that cannot be cancelled, changed, or refunded but with only 3 months to go before we plan to fly, it is essential (to me) to have a basic plan. Plan away and hope for the best nut be ready to pivot (getting sick of that word!) if conditions change.

Also remember that not only are different countries in the EU having different and ever-changing rules, but Switzerland is not in the EU. Hence, even if you read something akin to "the EU is now open," Switzerland may or may not be in sync with that.

You are right, Harold, Switzerland is not in the EU, however they have been easing restrictions and today The Local in CH reported

The government also said anyone fully vaccinated with a Swiss or EU-approved jab would be exempt from quarantine on arrival for six months, and no longer needed to be tested or give contact details at the border.

While that could change, as could the rules for any member, the trajectory is good and promising.

Here is the article although you may not be able to open it unless you subscribe. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210526/explained-what-covid-measures-will-switzerland-relax-from-monday/