I'm considering driving from Switzerland to Spain for a visit (maybe 4day's stay in Spain).

My question is this --- Since I'll be driving, and crossing 3 borders (Swiss, France, Spain) is there any Covid related quarantine that I should be aware of? I'm doing research on the web but have come to the conclusion that I'll just have to try it.

I was hoping someone has done this trip recently and can let me know how the trip was (due to Covid).

Starting in Zurich - ending in Barcelona
Approx trip time is end of October / early November

Why drive? --- I prefer it.

Your problem will be on your way back as there's not quarantine for entering France from Switzerland and for entering Spain from France. Let's assume that on your way back you manage to cross France in less than 24 hours, which you probably will, so you won't need to quarantine due to your stay in France. BUT, you will certainly need to quarantine yourself for 10 days due to your stay in Spain. The rule is pretty clear and it's irrelevant if you provide a negative Covid-19 test or not.

Well, Spain is on Switzerland's quarantine list atm so you'd have to do a 10 day quarantine on your return.

Thank you both for the information..

Can I ask where you found that information. I want to keep up to date so I can answer my own question in the future.

As usual and always:
https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home...nreisende.html

How will Swiss know that he was in Spain?

From the link above:

"What to do after entering Switzerland

Upon arrival, go immediately to your home or to other suitable accommodation (e.g. a hotel or holiday apartment). On the way there, keep a minimum distance of 1.5 metres from other people. If you are unable to maintain this distance, we recommend that you wear a mask. Avoid public transport if possible.

Report your arrival to the cantonal authority responsible within two days. Follow the instructions of the cantonal authority.

For 10 days after your arrival in Switzerland you must stay in your home or other suitable accommodation without going out. Avoid contact with other people and follow the instructions on quarantine (PDF, 182 kB, 12.09.2020).

Anyone who fails to comply with the quarantine requirement or the duty to report to the authorities is committing an offence under the Epidemics Act (in German), which can be punished by a fine of up to CHF 10,000."

Thanks for opening this topic .

I’m intersted in this topic as I will have to fly to Spain soon to attend to an important matter I cannot postpone .

How does the quarantine work in practice ?

I guess if you are on a plane from Spain they will wait for you at arrivals and take your name address and tell you to quarantine .

But what happens if your flight hubs via a third country or you travel by ground transport like the OP .

Are you required to self declare ?

And if so where and how ?

Yes. Online, with your canton.

In practice, I don't think they would know if you didn't tell them, for example if you drove back into the country, especially via Italy or Germany. You don't have to show a contact form when entering country, like in UK.

Indeed, in practice "they" (Authorities) wouldn´t know, but what about neighbors, friends ...? also for self-responsability, you´ve been in a high risk Country so best way is to follow the rules: Self-declare and quarantine.

Most of us are in the same stuck situation

nice summary, but nothing to do with my question.

precisely.

That's not the point. they will not know it, and just shows how weak the whole system is.

It also shows who can act like a responsible adult and who can act like a an egotistical jerk.

Wow!

The question was “how would they know?”. The answer “They probably wouldn’t”.

No one was actually saying what someone should or shouldn’t do.

Think about this for a moment

Your car has Swiss Plates yes? And the authorities have cameras more than capable of reconizing them and logging the fact you crossed the border. They have incentive too, a 10K bonus.

As soon as you cross the border your car sticks out, there are going to be far less Swiss registered cars in France at this point. You a target for French police. Who might stop you, ask what you doing, where your going, why your car has foreign plates?

You cross the border France/Spain more cameras, more evidence. You hang out in Spain? With your car is on Swiss plates. You think you're not a target for the Spanish police. Who might stop you, ask what you doing, where your going, why your car has foreign plates? More evidence?

Driving somewhere, anywhere is not as anonymous as people imagine. With digital technology today it is easy to track millions of cars on an hour basis.

Not really. It's always relied on people's integrity. It's either that or close the borders.

exactly this. It's like many laws; it's not like a cop appears in your bathroom if you flush at 22:01 or go 121kph on the Autobahn.

Moreover, we all have a social responsibility to ourselves and others at this time.

You are unlikely to get caught but if you come back, don't bother and then have it, the contact tracing will either result in them finding out or you digging a deeper hole and lying through your teeth.

This EU site summarizes the restrictions imposed by country. As other mentioned above there's a 10 day quarantine after your return from Spain to CH......for the moment. https://reopen.europa.eu/en

Also relevant, 3 weeks is a long time under the current circumstances. There can be less or more restrictions by the end of the month.

There ain't going to be less....

Given that your name, linked to your swiss numberplate, is publicly visible data, it would be very, very easy for them to find out. I'm with the other poster that they also have an incentive to check the data...

Also, your mobile phone data shows where you have been and when. Diasabling location services does not stop this being recorded. If the police were to ask you to hand over your phone for 2 minutes, you'd be sunk.

Like most swiss rules, this one relies for its success on compliance by the population. If you are lucky enough to be allowed in as a visitor/worker here, it is only right to comply.

I know of which I speak. Have just come out of 10 days quarantine for going to france. Now on way to UK for 14, then shortly after, back to CH for a further 10. It aint fun but it is the right thing to do.

Kind regards


Ian

That's correct. However, I would prefer that the state has a system that can catch 'egotistical jerks' and keep everyone else safe.

Obviously, this is not the case.