Airline to schedule flight from Hong Kong to Zurich next Monday amid significant deterioration of COVID-19 situation.

The Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong has emailed a statement to citizens informing them that the country intends to offer a single flight from Hong Kong to Zurich via Singapore next Monday (7 March 2022).

According to the message, which was signed by Consul General Rolf Frei, there will be no transit restrictions in Singapore as the passengers are not expected to leave the aircraft unless the city-state is their final destination.

The consulate also thanked the effort the airline had made to schedule the flight.

No PCR Tests or Vaccination Records Needed

Travelers to Switzerland do not need to undergo PCR tests or provide records of vaccination, the consulate indicated, noting the country has lifted most pandemic measures.

«The only measures still in place in our home country are the requirements to isolate oneself for at least 5 days in case of a positive test and to wear masks on public transport and in health institutions. Masks and COVID certificates are no longer needed to enter shops, restaurants, cultural venues and other public places and events,» the consulate said in the emailed statement.

The message noted the continuing deterioration of the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong, which is expected to have a significant impact on the Swiss community given the government's initial plans to submit all residents to three rounds of COVID-19 tests.

Following Local Guidelines

«I understand that many Swiss citizens feel frustrated on a certain level by current policies. However, I would like to point out that all residents are subject to the laws of the jurisdiction they reside in and we recommend to follow the guidelines set out by the local Government.  If in doubt, consult the Government’s dedicated pandemic website. We have to stay strong as a community and care for the most vulnerable ones,» the consulate indicated in the message.

As reported earlier this week by finews.asia, Hong Kong will potentially impose a lockdown in March after city leader Carrie Lam said it had no plans to do so less than a month ago. Government data shows that there is currently a record high net outflow of people, with 10 percent of EU citizens having left in the last year.

Another article by finews.asia in September 2021 indicated that the number of Swiss citizens registered in Hong Kong had fallen 7 percent year-on-year.