Switzerland is set to ease its Covid-19 travel restrictions from Saturday, with vaccinated tourists no longer requiring proof of a negative test before entry.
In addition, fully jabbed Scots will also no longer be required to take Covid tests on their fourth and seventh days after arrival.
Although travellers entering the country will still be required to fill in a compulsory Passenger Locator Form, the news means that holidays in the country will become significantly more straightforward.
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This will be welcome news for Scottish ski enthusiasts, as Switzerland is home to some of the world's top resorts.
Under the updated rules, people who are not fully vaccinated against Covid will not be permitted to enter the country unless they can prove that it is for an essential reason.
As reported by the Daily Record, children under the age of 18 will be permitted access even without evidence of vaccination, so long as they are with adults who have received their jabs.
In a statement, the Switzerland's Federal Council said: “From Saturday, 22 January, persons who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from Covid-19 will no longer be required to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test before entering Switzerland.
"Persons who are not vaccinated or who have not recovered from Covid-19 will still have to take the tests to enter the country."
In light of the increased demand following the announcement, airline operator Jet2 have announced new ski flights to Geneva from Scotland this Easter.
Additional services from Glasgow will be in operation on April 2 and April 9, in addition to the flights already announced at Edinburgh Airport.
The operator is also hosting services from Edinburgh to other popular ski destinations such as the Austrian cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck, as well as Turin in Italy.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “Skiers and snowboarders have missed out on the best part of two ski seasons over the past couple of years, so they are absolutely jumping at the opportunity to hit the slopes once again.
"All eight ski destinations that we have on sale this winter are looking extremely popular, and it is obvious that snow sports fans want to make the ski season last for as long as possible too."
He continued: "In response to that, we are expanding our Easter ski programme so that customers have even more choice when it comes to hitting the best slopes in Europe.
"With our ski flights restarting to France this weekend too, we are looking ahead to a very popular and successful ski season.”
Covid measures will remain in place in Switzerland through to March, the Federal Council confirmed, which includes a requirement to wear face masks in public indoor areas and on public transport.
Children under 12 are exempt from mask rules, as well as individuals who have medical reasons for not wearing one.
The UK Foreign Office has warned that "failure to wear a mask is punishable by a fine."
Proof of vaccination, Covid recovery or a negative test result will also be needed to enter some venues such as museums, restaurants and bars, though kids under 16 are not included in these requirements.
