Switzerland
As of 15 June 2020, controls at the borders between Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland will be abolished, travel restrictions will be lifted and the free movement of people between the four countries will be fully re-established.
If the status of the pandemic in Switzerland and in the member states of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) so permits, the Swiss Federal Council is expected to lift the restrictions on entry into Switzerland from all Schengen states by 6 July 2020 at the latest.
A decision on whether to lift entry restrictions for those arriving from non-Schengen countries will be taken at a later date, in consultation with the Schengen member states.
In this context, we remind you that:
- Members of the CERN personnel (and their family members) who are resident in countries for which the restrictions on entry into Switzerland have not been lifted but who need to enter Switzerland to take up their functions must be able to provide proof of the reason for their entry into Switzerland, even if they are not subject to visa requirements;
- To allow them to enter Switzerland, CERN must inform the Swiss mission of their arrival by means of a note verbale stating the reason for their travel, which must be submitted, accompanied by a copy of the passport, at least five working days before the date of travel;
- The Swiss mission then draws up a document for each person concerned, authorising them to enter Switzerland;
- Transit via Switzerland continues to be authorised.
France
All travellers entering mainland France from abroad must complete and carry with them the appropriate international travel certificate.
From 25 May 2020, travellers must also, upon arrival in France, present a written self-declaration certifying that they do not have any symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.
Travellers arriving from outside Europe (all countries, except the members of the European Union [excluding Spain], Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican), and travellers arriving (by air only) from the United Kingdom (as of 8 June) and Spain, are invited, upon arrival on French territory, to undergo a period of 14 days of voluntary quarantine at home or in dedicated premises made available to them.
Travellers arriving from within Europe (members of the European Union [excluding Spain], Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican) are not subject to any particular measures upon arrival on French territory, provided that they do not have any symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. The personnel of international organisations having their headquarters or an office in France, including CERN, together with their spouses and children, are exempt from the voluntary quarantine measure (unless they have symptoms).
Further information can be found in the following documents:
- Switzerland: Coronavirus: Further easing of entry restrictions from 8 June– Press release of 27 May 2020
- France: Restrictions de circulation et mise en place de mesures sanitaires aux frontières (only in French) – Press release of 22 May 2020