Switzerland Unlocks Borders with Schengen States Except Spain

People in Switzerland are now free to travel across borders to neighbouring states, as the Swiss government has allowed travel between Switzerland and all European Schengen states as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and the United Kingdom, since yesterday.

One exception is Spain, which won't re-open borders to most European countries until June 21.

The so-called Schengen area, which operates control-free crossings, has been mostly closed for three months to all but goods traffic and critical workers due to the pandemic.

The Federal Office for Public Health said on Monday that all passengers on direct flights from Sweden to Switzerland would be tested for possible fever on entry into the Alpine nation. Travellers from Sweden are the only ones affected by this measure for now.

Until now, Switzerland has said it is not yet possible to allow travel from outside the Schengen zone. For example, a visitor from the US or China will not be able to enter Switzerland. Last week European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson urged Schengen members to lift internal border controls by Monday and to allow a gradual reopening to other countries from July.

Switzerland’s main airports – Zurich, Geneva and Basel-Mulhouse – now hope to slowly ramp up their operations after being at a standstill for several months.

Mean while, Europe is marching in big steps toward a new normality as many countries open borders to fellow Europeans after three months of coronavirus lockdowns — but even though Europeans love their summer vacations, it's not clear how many are ready to travel again, according to ABC news.

Tourists from the U.S., Asia, Latin America and the Middle East will just have to wait a little bit, as Europe is expected to start opening up to some visitors from elsewhere next month, but details remain unclear.

The European Union home affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson, told member nations last week that they “should open up as soon as possible".