New Measures for Switzerland & Italy
6th December 2021
Last modified on December 9th, 2021
Switzerland sees more testing & mask wearing with Italy introducing its so-called ‘super green pass’. Cases of the omicron variant continue to grow across the ski nations of Europe as more ski resorts open and it’s hoped the measures will help skiing to continue as normally as possible.
In Switzerland people now need to wear masks in an expanded set of circumstances.
These include at events where health certificates are required.
People must be seated if consuming food or drink in restaurants and bars.
They are required to give contact tracing details at sporting and cultural events.
People need to produce a certificate at events and venues to prove that they are vaccinated, have tested negative or have recovered from the virus.
A previous exemption for groups of under 30 people has been reversed.
The requirement also applies for outdoor events of more than 300 people – previously it was 1,000.
The government is also recommending that people work from home.
The measures are aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19 and have been welcomed by some.
The recently introduced 10-day quarantine requirement was dropped on Saturday 4th December.
It was introduced a week earlier and threw the start of the ski season into chaos and confusion with an avalanche of cancellations.
In the Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland hotels reported a level of 50% cancellation rates.
Swiss resorts are now urging people to return to the mountains as quarantine is lifted.
Now all people arriving into Switzerland must test for Covid-19 at their own expense.
A further test is needed between the fourth and seventh day of arriving in Switzerland.
People are also being advised to use Covid certificates at private gatherings of 11 people or more, but this is not a legal requirement.
Cases continue to climb with 530 confirmed cases per 100,000 people over a 7-day period.
Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI.
The rules also changed in Italy from Monday 6th December.
Italy has introduced new rules that target unvaccinated people
Cases are less in Italy, but concerns are growing.
Italy reports 136 confirmed cases per 100,000 people over a 7-day period.
The ‘super green pass’ is introduced and is needed to access most public spaces in ski resorts and elsewhere.
Having a negative test does not entitle people to this new pass – they have to be vaccinated or recovered.
The venues include:
- Indoor seating at bars and restaurants
- Tourist sites, museums, and art exhibitions
- Cinemas, theatres, concerts
- Clubs and discos
- Sports matches
The requirements apply to everyone, including visiting skiers and snowboarders.
The old-style green pass that people can have with a negative test allows people to access hotels, changing rooms in sports facilities, plus local public transport services, including buses and trams.
Elsewhere in the ski nations the virus continues to spread.
In France nightclubs in the country will be closed for the next four weeks.
The measure comes into France on Friday.
France has an incidence rate of 400 cases per 100,000 people.
French people aged over 65 will be able to get a booster dose of the Covid vaccine without an appointment.
For now, no curfew or lockdown measures will be introduced said the French Prime Minister, Jean Castex.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised Americans not to travel to France due to rising cases of Covid-19.
We do our very best to ensure the information provided here is as complete and up-to-date as possible. However, please be aware that we assume no liability in this respect. Information provided by PlanetSKI should be checked with the official information provided by the authorities. The situation regarding travel warnings and local rules changes quickly.
Cervinia, Italy. Image © PlanetSKI
