Travel restrictions report in respond to official concerns over Omicron variant of COVID-19
Travel restrictions report in
response to official concerns over Omicron variant of COVID-19 – Updates
Dec 05th, 2021
Switzerland:
Friday DEC 03rd2021
The Swiss
Federal Council has decided to amend the rules for entering Switzerland amid
the Coronavirus pandemic, by amongst others lifting the obligation to
quarantine for all travelers, but at the same time tightening testing rules. In
a press release issued on Friday, December 3, the Council confirmed that
starting from the following day, Saturday, there will be no countries on the
quarantine list.
In order
to continue to prevent the new Omicron variant from entering the country as far
as possible, a stricter testing regime will now apply for all arrivals into
Switzerland. This testing requirement also applies to those who have been
vaccinated or have recovered from the disease, the Council notes in a press
release announcing the decision. It further explains that since quarantine is
no longer mandatory, travelers will need to take a second test between the
fourth and seventh day upon their arrival in Switzerland. The test can be a PCR
or rapid antigen and has become obligatory in order to detect infected persons
who in the first test falsely result negative. At the same time, it has been decided that from now on,
rapid antigen tests will be valid for only 24 hours and not for 48 hours as
they were before. In contrast, PCR tests continue to be valid for 72 hours.
The
Council also points out that travelers should cover the test costs themselves.
UK:
Changes to pre-departure testing from 4 am, Tuesday 7 December 2021
From 4 am, Tuesday 7 December all
people aged 12 years and over must take a PCR or LFD COVID-19 test before they
travel to England from abroad. All passengers must take the test within 2
days before they travel to England. This will apply whether you qualify as fully
vaccinated or not.
There are different
rules if you have been in a red list country or territory in the
10 days before you arrive in England. Red list rules apply whether you are
fully vaccinated or not.
Some people, including children aged 11
and under are exempt from
taking the test.
USA:
Updated Requirements for All
Air Travelers to the U.S. due to COVID-19
Effective December 6, 2021,
all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older,
regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative
COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel. Alternatively,
travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health
care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding
travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.