Switzerland lifted all travel requirements as well as nearly all domestic COVID measures, announced the Swiss Federal Council in a press release.
The country has become the 5th country in the world to remove all travel restrictions, after Mexico, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, and Norway.
“Health-related measures for persons entering the country are to be lifted. It will no longer be necessary to provide proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test or complete an entry form,” the Council announces.
Citizens must still wear masks on public transportation and while visiting healthcare facilities. Those who have tested positive for COVID will be required to remain in isolation for five days but only until the end of March.
Tourist venues such as shops, restaurants, and cultural and sporting events will be freely accessible.
Local COVID certificates will no longer be issued. However, EU-compatible COVID certificates will continue to be granted as most EU, and Schengen Area countries still require them to allow travelers into their territories.
“The cantons will, as they requested, still be able to impose a certificate requirement,” the press release reads.
The government expects that the healthcare system will not be overwhelmed due to the high level of immunity in the country.
Over 90% of Switzerland’s 8.6 million people have either been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19.
Health authorities indicated that the Omicron-fueled infections peaked on Feb. 8 and that they have been declining since then.
The country recorded 21,032 new cases on Wednesday. In comparison to the previous week, the seven-day average daily figure is now down by nearly a quarter.
“The light on the horizon is very visible,” President Ignazio Cassis told reporters in Bern. However, he stressed that authorities were prepared to reimpose restrictions if necessary.
“The virus is there. We are learning how to live with the virus,” he said.