France and Switzerland Ease Some Covid-19 Restrictions
2nd February 2022
France loosened some rules on Wednesday with Switzerland easing some of its restrictions on Thursday, plus outlining a path to end all measures. We report from the slopes of the two alpine nations and assess the likely impact on skiing for the rest of the winter. NEW
France
Wearing face masks outside is no longer compulsory and capacity limits have been lifted for sports competitions and other events.
Masks remain compulsory in the queues for ski lifts, and also in the lifts for anyone over 11-years of age.
They are not required while skiing or snowboarding.
A vaccine pass is still required to access ski lifts and use the slopes in the French resorts in the Alps and the Pyrenees.
The pass is also needed to go into mountain restaurants, bars and cafes.
Masks are required in all indoor public spaces in ski resorts.
Nightclubs remain closed and dancing in bars in ski resorts remains banned, though this rule is expected to be lifted in two weeks.
La Rosiere, France. Image © PlanetSKI
At PlanetSKI we have been skiing in the French resort of La Rosiere a couple of times over the past weeks and have found the rules to be checked and enforced.
Image © PlanetSKI
An average of 322,256 daily cases have been recorded in France over the past week – that’s down from 366,179 a week earlier.
France has 3,750 Covid patients in intensive care and is recording 261 Covid deaths at hospitals per day.
“We have seen a weak reversal of the trend over the past few days, with fewer cases declared each day than seven days earlier,” said the government spokesman Gabriel Attal.
He called it a “very encouraging signal” but said officials “remain cautious”.
Ski resorts have welcomed the easing of some measures.
Switzerland
On Thursday the obligation to work from home and the five-day contact quarantine requirement ends.
Of more significance for skiers is that the government has announced plans to ease most restrictions by next month, if case numbers continue to fall and the health system does not come under further pressure.
“Today heralds the beginning of a new phase in the pandemic,” said the Swiss President, Ignazio Cassis, on Wednesday.
“Today is a beautiful day. We see light on the horizon.”
In two weeks, the Swiss government says it will decide on further steps to relax pandemic measures.
Restrictions on access to restaurant, indoor events, leisure and culture venues could be lifted.
Large private gatherings may not be subject to a maximum number of people.
Official approval for large outdoor events may also not be necessary.
The wearing of masks is likely to remain.
The government also plans to lift health measures at the borders and tourists would no longer need a health pass.
PlanetSKI was skiing in Zermatt last week where rules were being followed and enforced.
Zermatt, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Here at PlanetSKI we will be reporting later in the week on what the restrictions currently are in Italy and what may change.
Regular readers will know we are currently based in the Aosta Valley in Italy from where we accessed Zermatt and La Rosiere.
By and large if you are fully vaccinated, have a health pass and an FFP2 mask then things remain relatively normal and skiing continues.
Zermatt, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Related Stories
- Austria to ease Covid-19 rules further
- Norway scraps entry quarantine rules
- Boost for ski holidays as UK scraps travel tests
We do our very best at PlanetSKI 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.
Image © PlanetSKI
