Good news for those who have ski holidays booked - Switzerland is set to ease its travel rules for tourists and remove the requirement for arrivals to show a negative PCR or antigen test before entering the country.
The news will no doubt be welcomed by those who were planning to hit the Swiss slopes this winter - after all, the country is home to some of the world's best ski resorts.
Passengers travelling by plane or a 'long-distance bus service' will still be required to fill out a Passenger Locator Form before travelling.
The easing of rules will only apply to fully vaccinated travellers. Currently, those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated cannot enter Switzerland unless they have an essential reason - although unvaccinated children under the age of 18 can enter if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.
The new rules will come into effect from Saturday (January 22).
In a statement, the country's Federal Council explained: "From Saturday, 22 January, persons who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19 will no longer be required to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test before entering Switzerland.
"Persons who are not vaccinated or who have not recovered from COVID-19 will still have to take the tests to enter the country."
The requirement for travellers to take follow-up tests on days four and seven after arrival has also been scrapped.
If you're due to travel before Saturday, you'll still need to meet the existing requirements and show proof of a negative Covid test to be granted entry into Switzerland.
Covid measures will remain in place in the country through to March, the Federal Council confirmed, which includes a requirement to wear face masks in public indoor areas and on public transport. Children under 12 are exempt from mask rules, as well as individuals who have medical reasons for not wearing one.
The UK Foreign Office warns: "Failure to wear a mask is punishable by a fine."
Proof of vaccination, Covid recovery or a negative test result will also be needed to enter some venues such as museums, restaurants and bars - although children under the age of 16 are exempt from these requirements.
You can find out more in the Foreign Office's latest Switzerland travel advice.
It offers another glimmer of hope for the ski season, as France also recently eased its travel rules when it lifted a travel ban on UK arrivals.
This means that fully vaccinated UK travellers can visit France for non-essential reasons, provided they can show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test result from within 24 hours before arrival.
Anyone who is not fully vaccinated (two doses of an approved jab, at least 14 days before travel) will still need an essential reason to visit France.
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