A further relaxation of post-pandemic travel restrictions comes into force tomorrow as Switzerland joins several other European nations having freer access to the mainland. 

You can well and truly say the pandemic is over. Although it has become a fading, even repressed memory for many, it also shouldn’t be forgotten that China’s harsh restrictions and extensive lockdowns were dropped just over a year ago – give and take a few days here or there.

Extraordinary Measures

But since then, the mainland has embarked on a series of almost extraordinary – and unilateral - relaxation of travel measures. 

As part of that, Switzerland will join the list of countries that allow visa-free entry to the mainland for tourism, leisure, and business together with Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

Clear Limits

There are a few catches. This is unlikely to be an open-ended universal policy that stays in place for like forever. 

According to China Briefing, an intelligence website published by Dezan Shira & Associates law firm, the current period of visa-free travel starts tomorrow and ends on 30 November.

Not Uniform

Moreover, it is also not a uniform, standardized exemption for the entire country, with the China visa application service center having specific details on current conditions.

According to them, transit passengers can stay for 24 hours on the mainland without a visa while a three-day exemption is allowed at the country’s major airports and tourist hot spots. Beyond that, Swiss travelers can benefit from a six-day exemption in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Liaoning.

China’s Hawaii

The country also seems to be intent to be promoting travel to Hainan, an island generally considered to be a local version of a Hawaii-type island resort.

Fresh off the back of last weekend’s Blue Bay LPGA tournament, Swiss citizens can stay for up to 30 days on the island without needing a visa if they are undertaking a journey organized by a tour operator in Hainan.

Major Milestone

The Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong published a statement on the relaxation, saying it was «a major milestone in the integration of the Swiss and Chinese business environment».

«It is expected to facilitate increased trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations, providing a boost to bilateral relations,» the statement indicated.

Persistent Advocacy

Moreover, the chamber maintained the decision came after «persistent advocacy» following the mainland’s decision to extend visa-free travel to other European and Asian countries earlier this year.

«By tirelessly advocating for visa-free travel, the Swiss Chamber has demonstrated its commitment to supporting Swiss businesses operating in Switzerland and China/Hong Kong,» it said.

Intense Campaign

Indeed, there appears to have been a flurry of cultural events, contacts, and visits on the part of the Swiss government that started in the middle of last year.

That was topped off by a visit by Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis in February as part of his tour of the Asia Pacific region.