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What changes in Switzerland
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Everything that changes in Switzerland in October 2021
The Local - [email protected]
Published: 29 Sep, 2021 CET.
Updated: Sat 2 Oct 2021 11:13 CET
From the weather to the Covid rules, here's what changes October has in store in Switzerland.
Covid testing will no longer be free for the unvaccinated
All unvaccinated people would have to pay 50 francs for their own Covid tests from October 10th.
President Guy Parmelin explained this move by saying vaccinated taxpayers should not have to pay for testing for those who choose not to get inoculated.
"Following extensive discussions, the Federal Council stands by its assessment that it is not up to the public as a whole to finance the cost of tests for people who decide not to get vaccinated", authorities said, adding that "people who have already received one dose of vaccine can continue to get tested free of charge until the end of November".
READ MORE: UPDATED: Switzerland extends free testing deadline
New rules on entering the UK from Switzerland
Switzerland is currently on the UK’s ‘green list’, which is the lowest risk category that the UK government has.
From October 4th, the rules will change for residents of Switzerland arriving in the United Kingdom.
Until October 4th, before you travel to England you must:
- Take a COVID-19 pre-departure test – you must take the test in the 3 days before you travel to England
- Book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England
- Complete a passenger locator form
- After you arrive in England you must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2.
After October 4th, vaccinated travellers from the rest of the world list will not have to take pre-departure Covid-19 tests. Day 2 tests will still be required.
More information about the new rules is on this site.
READ MORE: What are the rules for travel between Switzerland and the UK?
Car stickers
While officially taking place on September 28th, drivers leaving the UK and heading to Europe will need to whack a new sticker on the back of their cars.
While previously a 'GB' sticker was sufficient, from this date onwards the sticker now needs to read 'UK' in order for it to be valid, after the UK changed the rules.
More information about the changing sticker requirement can be found here.
Fall festivals abound
Days may be getting shorter in October, but it is also the month when Swiss vintners are harvesting their grapes.
Wine-tasting and harvest festivals are plentiful all over Switzerland and well worth a visit before cold weather drives people indoors.
Here's a list of the places to visit in October.
A winery in the Swiss region of Lavaux. Photo by Jonathan Loosli on Unsplash
Daylight Saving Time ends
A sure sign that the warm and sunny weather is over is having to wind the clocks back ahead of the coming winter.
On Sunday, October 31st, clocks in Switzerland will be turned back one hour at 3am.
This means sunrise and sunset will be about one hour earlier.
The long-term future of daylight savings in Switzerland remains in flux, but you can be sure that the clocks will at least be wound back one final time this October.
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Covid testing will no longer be free for the unvaccinated
All unvaccinated people would have to pay 50 francs for their own Covid tests from October 10th.
President Guy Parmelin explained this move by saying vaccinated taxpayers should not have to pay for testing for those who choose not to get inoculated.
"Following extensive discussions, the Federal Council stands by its assessment that it is not up to the public as a whole to finance the cost of tests for people who decide not to get vaccinated", authorities said, adding that "people who have already received one dose of vaccine can continue to get tested free of charge until the end of November".
READ MORE: UPDATED: Switzerland extends free testing deadline
New rules on entering the UK from Switzerland
Switzerland is currently on the UK’s ‘green list’, which is the lowest risk category that the UK government has.
From October 4th, the rules will change for residents of Switzerland arriving in the United Kingdom.
Until October 4th, before you travel to England you must:
- Take a COVID-19 pre-departure test – you must take the test in the 3 days before you travel to England
- Book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England
- Complete a passenger locator form
- After you arrive in England you must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2.
After October 4th, vaccinated travellers from the rest of the world list will not have to take pre-departure Covid-19 tests. Day 2 tests will still be required.
More information about the new rules is on this site.
READ MORE: What are the rules for travel between Switzerland and the UK?
Car stickers
While officially taking place on September 28th, drivers leaving the UK and heading to Europe will need to whack a new sticker on the back of their cars.
While previously a 'GB' sticker was sufficient, from this date onwards the sticker now needs to read 'UK' in order for it to be valid, after the UK changed the rules.
More information about the changing sticker requirement can be found here.
Fall festivals abound
Days may be getting shorter in October, but it is also the month when Swiss vintners are harvesting their grapes.
Wine-tasting and harvest festivals are plentiful all over Switzerland and well worth a visit before cold weather drives people indoors.
Here's a list of the places to visit in October.
A winery in the Swiss region of Lavaux. Photo by Jonathan Loosli on Unsplash
Daylight Saving Time ends
A sure sign that the warm and sunny weather is over is having to wind the clocks back ahead of the coming winter.
On Sunday, October 31st, clocks in Switzerland will be turned back one hour at 3am.
This means sunrise and sunset will be about one hour earlier.
The long-term future of daylight savings in Switzerland remains in flux, but you can be sure that the clocks will at least be wound back one final time this October.
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