Last update: September 10th, 2021.
Switzerland is one of the only countries in Europe to release its own COVID passport and not fully implement the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC).
The Swiss COVID passport was the first pass outside of the EU to be compatible with the EUDCC.
The passport is being used for entrance to certain non-essential services, but the government is calling for a wider implementation, especially if mask mandates are lifted.
The country vaccinated over 52% of its citizens by administering over 9,500,000 doses by the first week of September.
Does Switzerland have a COVID certificate?
Swiss residents are issued a COVID certificate if they have been vaccinated, recently recovered from the virus, or have tested negative for the virus.
Switzerland released the Swiss COVID certificate, a local vaccine passport fully compatible with the EUDCC, shortly after the rest of Europe in July.
The government had already made Switzerland’s vaccine passport mandatory for those attending nightclubs and events with more than 1000 people.
Now, according to the Swiss government, the certificate is mandatory for entrance to bars and restaurants, gyms, and private events. This regulation applies to all people 16 and older. It will last from September 13th to January 2022.
The aim of Swiss vaccine passport requirement is to reduce stress on hospitals and health systems which are currently struggling to keep up with the Delta-fueled fourth wave of COVID-19 in Switzerland.
In the debate stages, several cantons supported the idea, including Zurich, Basel City, St Gallen, Thurgau, Schwyz, Valais, Zug and both Appenzells. The Graubünden government also suggested that the pass should be used to access public transport.
Current entry restrictions in Switzerland
The Swiss government has eased entry restrictions. Citizens from countries that the EU deems “epidemiologically safe” can enter without restrictions, as well as Hong Kong, Singapore, Qatar, and Ireland.
Non-vaccinated travelers from 25 EU territories may enter Switzerland without quarantine if they can present a valid EUDCC.
“Health measures at the border must now focus on people from countries in which a worrying variant of the virus is circulating”, said the Swiss government in an official statement.
The UK, India, and Nepal have been removed from the list of countries with “worrying variants”. Travelers from these countries can also enjoy quarantine-free entry if they are fully vaccinated.
Vaccine passports and social justice
Switzerland is constantly at the forefront of equality and the fight for civil liberties.
Samia Hurst-Majno is a member of the Swiss COVID-19 Science Task Force and a bioethics expert.
According to Hurst-Majno, “Such a certificate is a health justice issue. It is inevitable that it will be used for travel. But for other uses [like access to restaurants] it is important to have a certificate that people who are waiting for vaccination can access too.”
Individuals are still questioning data safety in COVID passports. Especially with the mobile apps used to store and check the Swiss COVID certificate, or even with the EU Digital COVID Certificate.
However, national security authorities are working to guarantee data safety. On an international level, the EU Gateway is designed to prevent privacy issues.
Vaccine passport discrimination is the other concerning factor taken into account by governments, to ensure that people who are unable to get vaccinated still have access to essential services.