Authorities in Switzerland are bringing an end to pre-departure Covid tests for travellers who are vaccinated or who have recovered from the virus within the last 270 days.

According to the Federal Council, the new rules will come into effect on 22 January, yet will not be applicable to non-vaccinated people or unrecovered arrivals into the country, who will still be required to undergo testing requirements to enter Switzerland.

In addition, tests on days four and seven upon arrival have also been scrapped, in line with the so-called 3G (geimpft, genesen, getestet - vaccinated, recovered or tested) rule in place in Germany and Austria, which will also be applied in Switzerland.

The 3G certificate permits entry to restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, cinemas, gyms, zoos, sporting events, hospitals and aircraft, reports SchengenVisaInfo.

Moreover, the Federal Council has lowered the validity of vaccination and recovery certificates from 365 to 270 days, coming into effect on 31 January.

The work from home requirement in force until the end of next month will remain in place, as well as other measures in effect until the end of March. Another decision regarding these measures is due to take place on 2 February.

“Based on the outcome of the consultation, the Federal Council is not making any further changes regarding rules on isolation, a stricter mask requirement or a ban on face-to-face teaching at higher education institutions,” said a Federal Council press release.

Additionally, Swiss residents are not permitted to host large gatherings or events, with a 50-person limit in clubs, discos and other indoor events. As of 25 January, providing contact details will no longer be mandatory.

Over the past week, a total of 136,957 Covid cases have been recorded in Switzerland with 51 fatalities, as per data from the World Health Organization.