November 28, 2021
Switzerland has ordered all UK arrivals a 10-day quarantine due to the omicron variant. Swiss resorts are affected, but many people also travel to Geneva airport to access ski resorts in France. UPDATE
The new rules will have implications for many French ski areas, as Geneva airport serves as a transport hub.
We reported the latest news from Switzerland this weekend:
Regulations on passengers in transit at Geneva airport have not been confirmed by Swiss authorities, although the UK government website says travelers from the UK must self-isolate “including s ‘they pass through Switzerland to another country “.
This could have a significant impact on the coming season, depending on how long the rule stays in place.
Many members of the station’s itinerant staff as well as skiers and snowboarders who have booked trips at the start of the season are concerned.
Travel agents advise people planning to travel to Geneva in the immediate future to access resorts in France and consider rerouting through French airports in Lyon or Grenoble.
Geneva airport. Image © PlanetSKI
We understand that some airlines are now meeting with officials from Geneva airport “to see what (if any) solutions are possible”.
Some travelers who arrived from the UK at Geneva airport on Sunday were turned away and had to return to the UK.
“We flew to Geneva yesterday morning, had a pre-booked transfer by road to Italy,†a PlanetSKI reader said on our Facebook page on Monday.
“We were refused entry through the Swiss border and immediately put on a plane to Manchester. The UK government website and FCDO advice were only corrected in the afternoon.
Others were unable to board flights to Switzerland in the UK.
“There is currently confusion over the rules applicable to UK citizens traveling to Geneva and transiting to another country,” said transfer company Bens Bus.
“Confused? So are we! The safest bet would be to ask your airline. Anyway, if you are planning to fly to Geneva, it is highly advisable to have proof of transport to your airline. final destination, â€added the transfer company.
TUI operates the UK’s largest ski tour operator, Crystal Ski Holidays.
“All customers who do not wish to travel and must travel until December 13 inclusive can change their vacation free of charge using Crystal Ski Holidays’ free changes policy,” he said in a statement.
“We will continue to monitor the restrictions and if the quarantine is still in effect for all UK arrivals, we will cancel the holidays and customers will receive a full refund within 14 days.”
EasyJet said its passengers “can change their flights without a change fee up to two hours before departure.”
EasyJet customers can receive a refund, voucher or free transfer at a later date.
Skiing in Switzerland has also been affected.
Here is a comment from a PlanetSKI reader that reflects the situation of many.
Well that’s all my plans for the first half of the season at the bottom of the pan 🙄#Omicron #Switzerland
– Valais Dude (@ValaisDude) November 28, 2021
The Lucerne Winter Universiade 2021 is due to start in Switzerland in less than 2 weeks.
It is the flagship winter sports event of the International University Sports Federation.
Besides the UK, other countries are on the Swiss restriction list.
They include the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel, Egypt and Malawi.
Flights from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique and Namibia are not allowed to land in Switzerland.
At PlanetSKI, we seek clarification on travel arrangements, but getting accurate information is not always easy.
Some have described it to us as the “travel chaosâ€.
On Sunday, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health said no UK resident or citizen would be allowed to enter the country if they arrived from the UK.
See the last paragraph of his initial statement.
Federal Office of Public Health
He then updated the information removing the ban on UK nationals traveling to Switzerland from the UK.
Federal Office of Public Health
Many news websites, including The Local – Switzerland, PlanetSKI and others, have duly reported this in good faith.
Official websites of national governments are generally considered a source of accurate information.
Regarding the use of Geneva airport to access the seaside resort in France, checking and updating is urgent.
“These changes will increase the cost of vacations for people, which will undoubtedly have an impact on consumer demand and hold back the recovery of the industry, so it is essential that this decision is carefully considered and that the restrictions are lifted quickly. if it becomes clear that there is no risk to the UK vaccination program, â€said a statement from the Association of British Travel Agents, ABTA.
“The government must now also consider offering tailored support to travel companies, which have been among the hardest hit during the pandemic. “
The only thing clear at the moment is that a lot is unclear.
Stay tuned….
Image © PlanetSKI
