The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Further Swiss border crossing points to be opened

Border police
Swiss borders to neighbouring countries are gradually being relaxed. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally

Switzerland will re-open 15 more border crossing from next week as it gradually eases the lockdown restrictions on the country. Traffic has already been allowed to pass through four other crossing points, three of them on the Italian border, this week.

May 11 marks the start of the second phase of a plan to restore normality to life in Switzerland. Many schools will resume teaching, shops and restaurants will be allowed to re-open, public transport will go back to normal service and restrictions on entry to the country will be eased.

From Monday border crossings will be unsealed in cantons Graubünden, Ticino, Solothurn, Neuchâtel, Jura, Vaud and Valais. The majority of the crossing points connect Switzerland to France and Italy.

Customs officials said the re-openings are being made in collaboration with other countries and “risk-based” controls would remain in place.

At the same time, the opening times of border points that have remained open during the pandemic will be extended, the authorities said.

Earlier this week, Germany said that enhanced border controls with Switzerland and other countries, introduced in March, will be extended until May 15.

In an interview with the Schaffhauser Nachrichten newspaperExternal link on Saturday, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis said that the government wants to return the country to normality as quickly as possible without risking further coronavirus outbreaks.

“I am convinced that in the near future we will be able to move as freely as before,” he said, when asked how soon borders will be opened with other countries.

More


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Queen of the Netherlands attends European Championship match in Lucerne

More

Euro 2025: Dutch queen cheers on team in Lucerne

This content was published on Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and her youngest daughter Princess Ariane attended the Netherlands' women's European Championship football match against Wales in Switzerland on Saturday.

Read more: Euro 2025: Dutch queen cheers on team in Lucerne
30-year-old charged with drone flight at Women's European Championships

More

Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025

This content was published on A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.

Read more: Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
257 Swiss companies are members of the SBTi

More

More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative

This content was published on A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Read more: More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
Chaka Khan 'and friends': an evening that would have pleased Quincy Jones

More

Montreux Jazz Festival honours Quincy Jones

This content was published on American artist Chaka Khan ‘and friends’ opened the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival on Friday. For over three hours, their show, dedicated to their friend and mentor Quincy Jones, thrilled the audience,

Read more: Montreux Jazz Festival honours Quincy Jones

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR