Switzerland to require COVID-19 test from arriving travelers

In a reversal of policy, Switzerland will no longer require travelers arriving from countries where the Omicron variant has been identified to quarantine. Instead, the country will introduce a stricter testing requirement for all arriving passengers.

Starting December 4, 2021, Switzerland will require all arriving passengers to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test. Travelers will also need to test again between day 4 and 7 of their visit. 

The announcement came as part of a larger tightening of restrictions in Switzerland by its Federal Council in an effort to ease the pressure on the country's hospitals due to the spread of the Delta variant. 

The change in policy also comes as the international debate over the effectiveness of country-specific restrictions has grown. The World Health Organization and countries targeted by the restrictions have also criticized those restrictions rolling out worldwide as discriminatory.

"The prohibition of travel is not informed by science, nor will it be effective in preventing the spread of this variant," South African Prime Minister Cyril Ramaphosa said on Twitter.