Coronavirus : restrictions for travelers from Switzerland
The consular activities of the Swiss Embassy in Tel Aviv are once again being fully provided
In order to reduce the risk of an infection, consular services at the counter will, until further notice, only be provided when an appointment has been agreed upon in advance. Please note that longer processing times must be expected due to the current situation. As previously, the Embassy can be reached over the telephone. Please send your written inquiries to: telaviv@eda.admin.ch.
Switzerland
Since mid-June, the number of new cases of coronavirus has been rising in Switzerland among other things as infected persons have entered the country from countries within the Schengen area and from non-Schengen countries. Consequently, with effect from Monday, 6 July, travelers entering Switzerland from certain regions (including Israel) will have to go into quarantine for ten days. The FOPH has a list of the countries concerned, which it updates regularly.
Please note that you are permitted to enter Switzerland if you are
a Swiss citizen;
a person who holds a valid passport of any country together with one of the following document:
- a valid residence permit, i.e. a Swiss residence permit (L / B / C / Ci permits);
- an FDFA legitimation card;
- a national visa issued by Switzerland;
a person with rights of free movement; The entry into Switzerland or a country within the Schengen area
a person who is travelling via Switzerland please contact the border control of the airport concerned.
Should you not be in possession of one of those documents listed above, kindly contact the Swiss Embassy in Tel Aviv.
From 3 August 2020, persons who have a life partner in Switzerland are also entitled to enter Switzerland, provided they can prove this relationship. Further information can be found on the information sheet «Information sheet for life partner and close acquaintance»
Consult the website of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM before your journey where you will find FAQs on entry restrictions and exceptions, freedom of movement and visas.
Israel
On March 18th 2020, the Government of Israel imposed a complete entry ban on all foreign nationals and people without residence in Israel
All non-Israeli citizens or residents will be prevented from entering Israel, even if they have proven the ability to stay in home quarantine. Exceptions will be made for those whose lives are based in Israel.
All Israeli citizens and residents (Israeli ID required) returning to Israel from any country must enter a 14-day home quarantine.
Travellers from Switzerland who are already in Israel are obliged to follow the instructions on the website of the Israeli Ministry of Health - in addition, please register on the Travel Admin app of the FDFA:
- If you do not feel well and/or develop symptoms of the virus (fever, cough, runny nose, head and chest pains), you are requested to immediately contact the MADA (Magen David Adom) services at the phone number 101.
- Maintain a high level of hygiene and avoid hand shaking.
- Document the course of your travel in Israel.
Other measures have also been issued. For more details on travel restrictions and quarantine procedures, please refer to the website of the Ministry of Health of the State of Israel.
The Israeli Ministry of Health Hotline +972 (0)8-6241010 is available between 08:00 through 21:00 (Israel time) for questions about the novel coronavirus.
Israel Airports Authority provides useful information on flights still operating from and to Israel.
General advice
We also recommend that all Swiss nationals in Israel follow the recommendations of the Federal Office of Public Health (Switzerland), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the FDFA travel advice “Focus Corona Virus (2019-nCOV)”:
Federal Office of Public Health (Switzerland)
World Health Organization (WHO)
FDFA Travel Advice, Focus Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), in German, French, Italian
For urgent questions, please contact the FDFA Helpline (Tel. +41 800 24-7-365 / +41 58 465 33 33).
