Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration announced last week that from May 2, all covid-related entry restrictions would be scrapped.

However, today on its website, the Federal Office of Public Health says,

"You can enter Switzerland without any further pandemic-related measures."

It looks like the door's already open

So whether it's from May 1 or already happening, restriction-free entry into Switzerland is excellent news.

Major airports in Zurich, Geneva, and Bern, will be eagerly gearing up for a busy summer, as will carriers who regularly fly routes to the country. Airlines such as Lufthansa, SWISS International Air Lines, Emirates, Edelweiss, and Austrian Airlines can confidently start planning their operations.

SWISS International Air Lines (SWISS) has announced its summer schedule, serving 119 destinations from Geneva and Zurich. It expects to restore around 80% of its 2019 services before the end of this year.

Planespotters.net shows SWISS has 90 aircraft in its fleet. It contains 30 Airbus A220s, 29 Airbus A320 family, 14 Airbus A330s, and 5 Airbus A340 aircraft. It also has 12 Boeing B777-300ER aircraft in the fleet.

With a focus on the US market, SWISS is adding extra flights to New York JFK, Boston, and Chicago. It is restoring services to Delhi and Mumbai, Beirut and continuing the Zurich-Buenos Aries service via São Paulo.

Before entry restrictions were eased, travelers to Switzerland were required to hold a valid vaccination or recovery certificate to have restriction-free entry. Based on the Federal Office of Public Health advice, they no longer need to meet that requirement.

Entry requirements revert to what applied before the pandemic. In most cases, that means having a valid passport or visa if that requirement applies to the traveler.

According to SchengenVisaInfo, the easing of restrictions is due to the declining COVID infections and high vaccination rates in Switzerland. The World Health Organization reports there were 14,500 new COVID-19 infection cases in Switzerland in the seven days before the announcement.

The Federal Office of Public Health says that Switzerland has administered 15.7 million vaccine doses as of April 19. This brings primary vaccinations to 69% of the population, while secondary vaccinations have been administered to 43%.

With moderate vaccination rates, it will be interesting to see how the eased entry rules, summer holiday tourism, and more open social settings impact COVID case numbers in Switzerland.

Greece is the word for good news

SchengenVisaInfo also reports that, in a similar way to Switzerland, Greece will also drop its entry restrictions on May 2. Greece's Minister of Health, Thanos Plevris, said earlier this month that his country would no longer apply entry rules to incoming travelers as of May 2.

The health minister explained that all travelers, regardless of their country of origin, will be exempt from the requirement to present a COVID Pass, such as a vaccination, recovery or test certificate, upon their arrival in Greece.

Countries throughout Europe are in a race not to miss out on the predicted summer tourism boom. Governments are opening borders and relaxing COVID protocols, certainly with an eye on reviving their vital tourism sectors.

One can only hope that airlines, airports, and the hospitality sector will have their A-game ready when the hordes descend in June.

After what we saw at Easter, what's the chance they will be on top of things by then?

Source: SchengenVisaInfo.com, Planespotters.net

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