COVID Update – September 28th 2020

In the last 2 weeks we have turned the corner and winter is well on the way now. the end of last week saw a dusting of snow in town and the temperatures have dropped to single figures.  We are still busy preparing for the season ahead. Some of the changes this week make that even harder to plan for but we are working on the fact it will snow and the lifts will be open. So for anyone that can make it out to the Alps we can’t wait to see you. 

WHAT's NEW?

THE UK IS ON THE SWISS Quarantine list

Last Thursday the Swiss Government announced that the UK was on their quarantine list. 10 days quarantine for anyone visiting Switzerland from the UK makes a week long ski holiday a challenge! So hopefully that will change this side of the season starting.

Below is an update from the British Ambassador to Switzerland.

THE NUMBERS...

New cases in Switzerland

So for some reason the Swiss numbers are now not reported over the weekend so there are a couple of massive spikes when the numbers catch up after the weekend. However these shouldn’t be confused as being massive COVID days! 

In fact the 7 day moving average has gone from 396 to 324 over the last 2 weeks. A gentle decrease in the the numbers over the last fortnight, let’s hope that continues!

New cases in Valais

Since our last post 2 weeks ago numbers have increased but again not hugely, an average of 11 new cases per day for the canton. (Up from 9 over the previous 2 weeks)

The top screenshot is from 28th September and the bottom one from 14th September. 

The different colours are for the 3 cantons of:

  • Geneva (yellow)
  • Zurich (blue)
  • Valais (red)

The situation in Zermatt

The Zermatt lift company have recently updated their page with how they are dealing with ‘shutdowns and disruptions’.  Currently in Zermatt on the mountain these are the main protective measures at a glance:

The wearing of a face mask is mandatory in all gondolas and cabins.

Maintain social distancing in station buildings, cabins and other public areas.

Observe the general hygiene rules from the Department of Health and wash your hands regularly.

Purchase tickets online if possible. Use electronic or contactless payment methods if paying on-site.

Matterhorn Paradise lift pass policy re COVID for winter 20/21

In a nutshell if you book your lift pass online but can’t make it out to Zermatt due to travel bans, you or persons cloasely associated catching COVID-19 or resort facilities being closed due to federal or cantonal authorities then you will be issued with a credit note for the lift pass that is valid for 5 years. There are other insurance options and some lift passes are not valid for the credit note scheme so be sure to check the terms and conditions in detail.

Picture of Henry Meredith Hardy

Henry Meredith Hardy

Henry is one of the owners of Summit and has been in Zermatt since 2000. He came to the mountains to ski and still loves it. Henry also works as a trainer for BASI and heads up out various training programs.

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