Where you can ski and what are the rules that must be respected in ski resorts and for entry into Switzerland, Austria, France and Slovenia
If in Italy the ski resorts will not be able to reopen until March 5th due, above all, to the Covid-19 variants, in the countries bordering ours it is still possible to ski, although in some it is only allowed to residents.
Therefore, although security measures are tightening, especially regarding travel and entry, especially for nations considered high risk, all is not lost for those who dream of having the long-awaited ski holiday. Let's see, therefore, specifically what happens in the renowned mountain resorts in Switzerland, Austria, France e Slovenia, destinations for many ski enthusiasts, and what are the rules they ask us to observe.
What you need to know if you ski in Switzerland
The ski resorts of Switzerland are currently open, however the authorities have placed even stricter controls to ensure that anti-Covid measures are respected and thus be able to contain the spread of the infection. These include the queue regulation, to ensure that they take place in an orderly manner and without the risk of creating gatherings.
Skiers are obliged to wear masks not only in the closed spaces, such as trains, cable cars and cable cars, but also on uncovered ski lifts (chair lifts and ski lifts) and in the waiting areas. Furthermore, all closed means of transport can only be occupied at two-thirds of their capacity. This applies to both standing and seating areas.
It is essential to respect the distancing of one and a half metres, while the cable cars can only transport family groups. Furthermore, ad hoc routes have been created in the ski lifts with long snakes divided by barriers, to avoid gatherings at high altitudes. Until the end of February, restaurants will remain closed for table dining, except for guests of accommodation facilities, and only take-away will be allowed.
Furthermore, from 8 February, to enter Switzerland it is necessary to fill in an online entry form, from a PC or smartphone, before or during the trip. The obligation does not exist for those arriving by car or motorbike and if they come from regions bordering Switzerland. So, in the case of Italy, we are talking about Valle d'Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige.
People who have stayed in a country considered at risk in the ten days prior to their arrival must present a Negative PCR test (executed in the last 72 hours) and get in quarantine. The negative test result must be presented even if you intend to reach Switzerland by plane, while children under 12 are exempt from this obligation. Finally, once you have entered Swiss territory you must notify your entry within two days to the competent cantonal authority.
The rules in Austria: slopes open in Tyrol, but with negative test
In Austria, tourist travel will be possible again not before the beginning of March. The ski lifts and ski resorts remain open, but only de facto for residents or for daily excursions.
Skiers are required to wear one FFP2 mask on all cable cars and chairlifts. Furthermore, you must maintain a minimum distance of two meters when queuing at ticket offices, ski lift stations and ski bus stops, as well as in all buildings accessible to the public.
In Tyrol, the ski slopes are open regularly, but it will be necessary to present the negative anti-Covid test result not older than 48 hours. The decision was made by the Tyrolean government due to the spread of the South African variant of Covid-19. Anyone who has been infected in the last six months will not have to submit the swab result, but one will be enough medical statement. However, children under 10 years of age and ski mountaineers are exempt from the test.
It is good, however, to know that the Austrian authorities have arranged it new restrictions also for those coming from Italy. Specifically, starting from February 15th it is necessary to undergo fiduciary self-isolation of ten days. Quarantine can be carried out at the relatives' home, provided that isolation from other people present in the house is respected, and can be interrupted for the sole purpose of leaving Austria, guaranteeing safety conditions, or following a negative result of a molecular or antigen Covid test (to be carried out no earlier than the fifth day after arrival).
In cases where quarantine is required, it is also necessary to show a Covid test with a negative result upon arrival, or in any case no later than 24 hours after entry. As with Switzerland, registration is also required to enter Austria. Checks also for those leaving Tyrol, who must be in possession of a negative swab, carried out no earlier than 48 hours, also mandatory for internal travel to another Austrian land.
Ski season at risk in France
The situation is different in France, where they were arranged strong restrictions on entry from abroad. Local authorities have announced that the Ski lifts will not open in February, as hoped, and there is a fear of seeing the entire ski season disappear.
In any case, if they reopen, the use of a mask will remain mandatory in French stations from the age of 11. You will also need to wear them in ski schools and in all common and indoor spaces. Some stations, like La Plagne e Les Arcs, have also decided to limit cable cars and gondolas to families and group skiers only.
In Slovenia we return to skiing, but only with a negative swab
La Slovenia and, instead, ready a reopen the ski resorts. The ski lifts and gondola lifts will be put back into operation, but exclusively for skiers who present a negative swab carried out in the previous 24 hours, which in any case will only be mandatory for adults. The decision was made by the local authorities on the basis of the epidemic curve data recorded in the last few days, which attest to the importance of the test, considered an indispensable element to combat the spread of the infection.
The greenest country in Europe has adopted a classification system of nations considered high risk in one Red List, among which she was also included Italy. For those coming from these countries, a 10-day quarantine is required upon arrival or they must present the negative result of a molecular PCR test, carried out in one of the laboratories recognized by the Slovenian Government (all those in Italy are) and no older than 48 hours. The rapid test is also accepted, as long as it is carried out within the previous 24 hours.
Source: iStock - Dietmar Rauscher
