I think there was some irony in the article. The old film The Great Escape was always shown at Christmas and the article was referencing this. The Bund website suggests that special permission is required to leave quarantine so they may have stretched the rules. I dont think the language was intended to incite hate.

'While Verbier, not far from the French border, has been the focus of most reporting, British skiers also fled other resorts – including the former Leave.EU campaigner Andy Wigmore, who compared his own family to the Von Trapps from The Sound of Music as he escaped via Paris after tough Swiss restrictions were introduced last week.

“So had the best time in wengen.swiss until the Swiss decided to lockdown the country and quarantine all those who didn’t escape for 14 days … well just like in the Sound of Music the Wiggy von Trapps decided to make a run for it from the slopes of Switzerland to the French border in less than 3 hours.” In the film, the Von Trapps are escaping the Nazis.

Wigmore was one of few British tourists in Switzerland willing to put his head above the parapet in the last week as many chose to leave their apartments and rooms, leaving meals uneaten and beds unslept in.'

From the Guardian this time - ah Leave EU or Leave CH !

If you read it, he got out just before the set deadline. So he did nothing wrong!

He did nothing legally wrong, but he may have acted against Government advice in the UK depending on where he lives (Tier 3 travel restrictions for example ... "The government advice states that, if you live in a Tier 3 area like London, ‘you should avoid travelling outside your area’. That includes for international and domestic travel, as well as things like day trips.

You should also avoid staying overnight in a place other than your home unless it is necessary for reasons relating to work, education or health – or to visit your support bubble, which is still allowed in Tier 3."

However, I myself feel that what he, and all the others did, was morally wrong. It is clear from this situation we find ourselves in that there are many people prepared to do what is right for us all, but sadly there are many who, as Chris Witty said, commit one little act of selfishness and these all add up to undermine and endanger us all. Just because one just about can, does not mean that one should in my book.

Imagine if those 200 were Chinese tourists... What do you think the tone of the Swiss media would be?

The same.
But they would be easier to spot. With the Brits you have to wait until they're drunk first to recognize them.

Noooooo, you would spot them wearing short sleeves and flip-flops.

I thought that was the Indians? Let's not turn this thread in one about stereotypes
Although, if I allow myself, I think the action was very English .... bet there was not one Irish or Welsh among them.

PS: Or Scott, sorry, sorry, or ..... just anything British who is not English. Gosh, I sure ain't good at this stereotyping

This story deserves a movie 🎥... I’m getting the 85’’ TV and the popcorn in advance 😇

I'm curious to see how the Swiss authorities will deal with those Brits who appear to have broken quarantine.

At a communal level there appears to be sympathy for their plight, particularly those subject to retrospective quarantine. Plus there is clearly commercial interest and customer goodwill to protect.

At a Federal level BAG minister Alain Berset has publicly acknowledged the event. And the Federal authorities perhaps do not have direct commercial interests to consider.

How will the Federal authorities respond?

Do nothing? Which could set a precedent for future violations of quarantine?

Send a deadlined written communication to those believed to have absconded? Followed by a demand for payment of CHF 10,000? Court appearance? A ban on entering CH and/or Schengen?

Anyone who arrived on the 14th-18th would have completed their quarantine,

this is a text I got on my UK phone from Sunrise on 23rd, so 1 day before the potential end of quarantine. Why did I not get it on my Swiss or Maltese phone?

"Dear guest, to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus variant in Switzerland, all travellers from the UK or South Africa who arrived in Switzerland on or after 14.12.2020 have to quarantine themselves for a mandatory 10 days from the date of arrival. Do not leave your room or residence and avoid all contacts. In case of non-compliance, a penalty of up to CHF 10,000 can be imposed. We ask you to contact the traveller's hotline at +41 58 464 44 88 or visit the SWISS FOPH-Website https://www.bag.admin.ch/entry for further information.
This text message is sent by Sunrise at the request of the FOPH. The FOPH does not have access to your contact details."

Can you provide a link to the EU/Schengen rule on which you base this which shows that a Schengen country can ban a person from entering other Schengen countries?

Thanks.

The back lash is starting ... I really hope it doesn’t harm any of you lovely Brits:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...rticle-9092737

https://www.20min.ch/story/britische...e-941713934756

Or imagine if this was reversed and happened in the UK with Swiss or other tourists leaving quarantine under cover of night and fog?

The media are trying to generate a bit of outrage.

A bit like the Dominic Cummings affair.


The only show in town is Brexit for the next couple of days.

I read it as a question of what might be possible, not a statement of fact

If allowed and possible, I hope they fine these people and prevent them from re-entering Switzerland for a period of time. Easier if coming direct by air; tougher if by other means but nonetheless would be interesting should their passports be checked. At the very least put a bit of scare into them

Sorry but I can't imagine bus loads of Swiss skiers in Glenshee or Glencoe.

The lead perpetrator in the DM article wasn't even staying in Verbier and, with his family, left Switzerland before the quarantine rules came into effect.

So there’s no other tourist groups going to the UK?

Not at the moment