After Corona completely ruined our last ski winter, the lifts are whirring everywhere again this winter. If you look at the webcams of the ski resorts, it almost seems as if everything is normal. But it’s not that simple. Thanks to Omikron, the number of infections has also exploded in some neighboring countries and the rules have been tightened.
Ski vacationers should therefore pay attention to a few things before leaving. Because if you haven’t been vaccinated or recovered, you don’t even have to get in the car. We explain what holidaymakers need to know about the local situation.
Austria: Entry and skiing only with 2G proof plus test
Despite a lockdown from late November to mid-December, Austria started the ski season on time. However, with stricter rules, because the 7-day incidence in the neighboring country rose again significantly and is currently higher 1200. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the country is again considered a high-risk area. The Federal Foreign Office therefore warns against unnecessary tourist trips there.
Anyone who still wants to spend their skiing holiday in Austria must either be vaccinated or have recovered and also present a negative PCR test. Only those who have been boosted are exempt from this 2G-plus rule: the third vaccination does not require proof of a negative PCR test. Children under the age of twelve are also exempt from 2G and compulsory testing upon entry.
Anyone who is neither vaccinated nor recovered can enter the country, but must be in quarantine for ten days – a measure that holidaymakers certainly do not want to accept. Even if free testing is allowed after the fifth day.
Proof of vaccination or proof of health is also required to stay overnight in a hotel in Austria, to visit a restaurant or to use cable cars and ski lifts. FFP2 masks are also mandatory in cable cars and indoor areas. Since January 11, masks have also been compulsory outdoors – at least wherever a minimum distance of two meters cannot be maintained.
The first cities decide to make FFP2 masks compulsory (advertisement)
The federal-state conference officially recommended wearing FFP2 masks on public transport and when shopping. The obligation already applies in Bavaria. In many pharmacies, the prices for this are currently increasing. Buy now at a great price to be prepared no matter what. Now in the FOCUS online shopping deal from 60 cents per piece with the Coupon code “DEAL40”.
Switzerland: No 2G proof for entry or use of mountain railways
As beautiful as the Swiss mountains may be, the Federal Foreign Office is currently warning against tourist trips there and classifies the country as a high-risk area. The number of infections there has been rising sharply since mid-December. The number of new infections on a 7-day average is over 25,000 new infections per day. The omicron proportion in particular is quite high among the Swiss. According to estimates by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, it is already around 88 percent.
German citizens may enter Switzerland regardless of vaccination status, but they must present a negative PCR test that is not older than 72 hours or a negative rapid antigen test that is not older than 24 hours. This does not apply to children up to and including 15 years of age. However, those who have not been vaccinated or have recovered must take another test (not a self-test) between the fourth and seventh day and report the results to the responsible canton.
As far as access to restaurants, cultural, sports and leisure facilities is concerned, the Swiss also tightened the measures in December: 2G now applies here too. In bars and discos, a negative test must also be presented. Excluded are people who have had their second vaccination, booster vaccination or recovery within the last four months.
When it comes to using the mountain railways, however, the Swiss are more accommodating than in this country: no vaccination or recovery status has to be shown here – only when using the restaurants on the mountain. In the buildings, cabins, lifts and chairlifts of the mountain railways, however, masks are compulsory.
Italy: exploding corona numbers and 2G-plus upon entry
The number of new infections every day is also exploding in Italy. Most recently, over 200,000 cases per day were reported. The 7-day incidence is over 2000. That is why Italy is now considered a high-risk area – the Federal Foreign Office warns against unnecessary tourist trips.
Due to the situation in the country, the Italian government has tightened entry. Until recently, it was still possible to enter the country vaccinated and recovered without restrictions, but the authorities now also require a negative test. The PCR test must not be older than 48 hours and the antigen test must not be older than 24 hours. Children under the age of six are exempt. Anyone who has no proof of vaccination or recovery may enter the country with a negative test, but must also go into a five-day quarantine.
The measures have also recently been tightened in Italy: 2G has been in force for access to restaurants, bars and leisure and cultural facilities since December 6th. This also applies to hotels and accommodation establishments of any kind and also to the use of mountain railways. This does not apply to persons under the age of twelve. In addition, there is a mask requirement outdoors in all parts of the country.
Attention, from February 1st, vaccination certificates will only be valid for six months instead of nine.
France: Exploding corona numbers and 3G while skiing
The situation is also getting worse in France. The 7-day incidence has climbed to over 3,000 and the number of new daily infections to a record high of over 450,000. That is why the Federal Foreign Office has issued a travel warning here too: France has been a high-risk area again since December 19th.
Nevertheless, entry into France for tourist purposes is possible. Fully vaccinated people do not need an additional test either. Unvaccinated people from Germany are also allowed to enter the country, but must present a negative PCR or antigen test, which was carried out no more than 24 hours before the start of the journey. This applies to people over the age of twelve. Travelers must also fill out a symptom-free declaration.
3G also applies in the ski areas. This means that guests over the age of twelve need either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR or antigen test that is not older than 24 hours or proof of health that is not older than six months to use the mountain railways and restaurants in the ski area . From the age of six, guests must also wear mouth and nose protection in the cable cars, lifts, in the buildings and when queuing outside of the cable cars. 3G also applies in the hotels.