With the Easter break starting this coming weekend, now is the time for skiers, in particular families, who have a holiday booked abroad to ensure they are familiar with all the last remaining Covid procedures for travel and in ski resorts.
While the UK government has scrapped all Covid travel restrictions for returning travellers, the rules remain, and continue to shift, in Europe and further afield. And not always in the right direction.
The good news is the majority of ski destinations have significantly eased requirements at the border and Covid passports have been largely scrapped, but the red tape is different in each destination and varies greatly if you have children in tow.
To avoid getting caught out by this, here is our country-by-country checklist of the Covid regulation requirements needed for your ski trip this Easter.
France
Entry requirements
A week before travel
▢ Ensure all over-16s have received final vaccine dose
72 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated 12-17 year olds must take a PCR test, or;
48 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated 12-17 year olds must take a lateral flow test
▢ All over-12s must complete ‘sworn statement’
▢ Download documents to prove full vaccination, booster or recovery
The rules in detail
Children under 12 years are exempt from all regulations. To holiday in France, anyone aged 12 years or over must be double-jabbed or show proof of recovery within 180 days of a positive PCR test. If you received your second dose more than 270 days (nine months) ago, you will also need to show evidence of a booster, received at least 14 days previously. Final vaccine doses must be administered seven days before travel. Unvaccinated adults are permitted under specific circumstances, but must quarantine on arrival. Unvaccinated children 12-17 can travel without isolating if accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult, but must test before travel. All travellers over 12 must complete a ‘sworn statement’ that they are not suffering from any Covid symptoms and have not been in contact with confirmed Covid cases in the preceding fortnight.
Covid passports
On March 14, France scrapped its health passport scheme, making life much easier in the nation’s ski resorts.
In-resort rules for skiers
Masks
Despite France easing its rules on mask wearing in most settings, high grade FFP2-type masks are advised for everyone over the age of six in indoor lift queues and on enclosed lifts, such as gondolas, but not required while skiing or on open-air chairlifts or drag lifts, or in shops, restaurants or hotels.
Après ski
Nightclubs and bars have reopened and table service is no longer mandatory. Après ski is back in full swing.
Austria
Entry requirements
72 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated over-12s must take a Covid PCR test, or;
48 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated over-12s must take antigen test 48 hours before
▢ Download documents to prove full vaccination (including booster 180 days after second dose) or recovery
The rules in detail
All travellers must show either proof of full vaccination, recovery from Covid in the past 180 days or a negative test to enter Austria – referred to as 3G status. If showing proof of vaccination, you must demonstrate that you received your second dose or a booster no more than 270 days before arrival. A medical certificate including the date of recovery is needed if proving recovery. PCR test results are valid for 72 hours, antigen test results are valid for 48 hours. Travellers entering Austria with 3G proof do not need to fill in a pre-travel clearance form.Under 12s are exempt from all entry restrictions, all other children must follow the 3G rule (vaccinated, recovered or tested) to enter Austria.
Covid passports
On March 5 Austria lifted scrapped its health pass scheme, meaning you no longer need to provide proof of your Covid status to hit the slopes.
