British tourists must quarantine in Switzerland due to Omicron – holidays ‘down the pan’

Travel: Simon Calder tells holidaymakers ‘don’t do anything hasty’

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Switzerland imposed the new restrictions as cases of Omicron were confirmed in the UK yesterday. It is feared that the new variant could be more resistant to vaccines although that has yet to be confirmed.

Switzerland has also imposed quarantine restrictions on travellers from Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Egypt and Malawi.

British tourists must also be fully vaccinated to enter Switzerland unless they have residence or are EU nationals.

Switzerland’s new quarantine restrictions could have a major impact on many British people’s Christmas holidays.

Many Britons arrive in Geneva to enjoy ski holidays in the Swiss or French Alps. They will now be expected to quarantine.

ValaisDude tweeted: “Well that’s all my plans for the first half of the season down the pan.”

Switzerland has not yet closed its land borders with Germany and Italy although Germany has reported Omicron cases.

PlanetSki tweeted: “Concerns are rising for the approaching ski season in Switzerland and elsewhere.”

Switzerland is set to hold a referendum on a Covid passport to enter most public spaces. Early indications suggest that voters will support the Government in introducing the Covid passport.

The Omicron variant was first identified in South Africa although it is not known where it originated.

Scientists fear the variant could spread more quickly and be more resistant to vaccines due to its high number of mutations.

However, this has yet to be confirmed and the South African doctor who discovered the variant has reportedly said symptoms are “extremely mild”.

Israel has also imposed a travel ban on foreigners for 14 days over the new variant.

The UK has also introduced new travel rules including a ban on travel to and from 10 African countries, including South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Travel to and from Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Lesotho, eSwatini, Angola, Namibia and Botswana is also banned.

Travellers arriving in the UK from 4am on November 30 will also need to take a day two PCR test.

Omicron cases have been confirmed in a few countries, including Hong Kong, Germany and Belgium.

Travel experts have said confidence in the travel industry will be shattered by the latest UK restrictions.

Paul Charles, CEO of the PC Agency, tweeted: “It’s a policy (PCR tests and isolation) that will wipe out inbound tourism in the run-up to Xmas.”

Simon Calder told the BBC that British tourists with holidays booked should not do anything “hasty”.

He said: “If you make changes, if you decide right we’ve got to cancel this now, then you will almost certainly lose out.”

Source: Read Full Article