On 29 April, the Federal Council decided that it wants to gradually relax the corona-related entry restrictions, parallel with the opening of the Swiss economy. The first loosening came into effect on 11 May 2020. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Suter has had several telephone conversations in recent days with the Interior Ministers of Germany, France and Austria, Horst Seehofer, Christophe Castaner and Karl Nehammer. Like Switzerland, all three countries are currently in the transition phase and in a comparable epidemiological situation.

In bilateral talks, the ministers agreed to fully reopen the borders between these neighbouring countries as soon as possible and to restore freedom of movement. If the pandemic situation in these countries allows, this step is to be taken on 15 June.

In the meantime, specific and reciprocal solutions in favour of binational unmarried couples and any other categories of persons should be worked out without delay. The Federal Council will discuss the details at its meeting on 27 May, together with the further relaxation of entry and residence restrictions. The Federal Department of Justice and Police can remove countries from the list of risk countries on its own authority after consultation with the Federal Department of Home Affairs and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Based on AvS/Anita Moser