Alpine Nations Lift Border Controls as Covid-19 Restrictions Eased

15th June 2020

Last modified on May 20th, 2021

A holiday in the Alps might be the perfect break after open the pandemic passes with its focus on the outdoors, health, the environment and open spaces.

The alpine resorts certainly hope so.

In the Alps some ski resorts have already opened for summer skiing and other activities as we have already reported here on PlanetSKI, More ski resorts in the Alps open for summer

France is opening its borders and travel to other European countries is allowed for its nationals.

Cafés, restaurants and hotels across the whole country are now allowed to open, with social distancing measures place.

But travellers from the UK, along with Spain, will have to quarantine because of their own restrictions on French arrivals.

The UK visitors will have to quarantine for another 14-days on arrival back in the UK.

We have more on the quarantine lower down this article.

First the state of the overall border restrictions in the other alpine countries.

Switzerland, and Germany fully opened their borders on Monday with police and officials in reduced numbers at the crossings as the restrictions are no longer in place.

Austria lifted its on Tuesday 16 June, but restrictions remain in place for travellers from the UK, along with from Portugal, Spain and Sweden; Austria  to open border to 31 countries, but not with the UK.

Spain will allow free travel with EU countries from 21st June thus opening up the Pyrenees.

Italy has already lifted restrictions and reopened its borders on 3rd June.

People across Europe are being urged not to let their guard down and to be vigilant.

“This does not mean that the virus has gone and that we can completely drop our guard,” said President Macron of France.

“The summer of 2020 will be a summer unlike any other and we will need to watch the evolution of the epidemic to be prepared in case it comes back with renewed strength.”

People from the UK currently have to go into a 14-day quarantine period on their return to the UK which will put many off from any travel overseas whether to the Alps or otherwise.

However, it is likely some of these restrictions will be further eased at the end of June and as the summer progresses.

Some commentators believe the government is not able to swiftly reverse the quarantine as it would be seen as a U-turn.

They believe the restrictions will be eased as soon as it is politically safe to do so.

Also some UK holidaymakers may not be covered by their travel insurance as the government is advising against “all but essential travel”.

Most new policies are affected, but those who have an annual policy or bought/renewed before the outbreak may be better placed.

Our advice at PlanetSKI is to check with your insurance company.

We are not yet ready to head to the Alps but are planning to do so later in the summer if restrictions allow, we deem it safe and the UK government changes its travel advice so insurance is valid.

We hope to be in Italy and Austria with some trips into France and Switzerland too.

We’ll keep you posted but are pleased to report that things are, at least, moving in the right direction.

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