Crossing Chiasso

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hello Everyone

I am new in this forum even considering I already spent almost three years in CH.

It has been almost 2ys since I went back to Italy, and now with this covid situation I dont know how easy is to cross the Chiasso border by train? are they so selective to collect each form and test needed? (if needed/

What is your experience in regard?

2
Sorry for the title ..of course I meant to write chiasso lol

3
We drive.

I've never been checked, my wife may have been some months ago, but I don't think recently, I'll have to ask tonight.

I will do my usual Friday lunch time shopping and apero trip tomorrow.

Tom

4
Yesterday the 20 minuten reported, that the trains to italy will be stopped at the border (Como) and the Italian customs will check the documents , if they meet the requirements( PCR Test, Covid Certifacte, Registration).

This will take around 1 hour per train.

5
its back to normal.

6

No problem, adapted :-)

7
I heard they check "randomly" on the train (i.e. you don't look italian).

Now that the Swiss certificates are recognised they might do it more systematically since it's easier and less time consuming.

8
Took the train from Lugano to Milan via Chiasso on Thursday (8th July) - it was the stopping train as the Eurocity train was full - we had also heard the EC trains were subject to big delays and did not want to miss our connection in Milan.

Completed DPLF form online and carried Swiss Covid certificate, yellow book and had the Swiss app. (This was the day before the Swiss app was recognised by the EU)

Italian border police walked through the train but did not stop to check our documents. They did take an older couple off the train from a different carriage so it looked like a random check.

Hope that helps / good luck!

9

what is the yellow book and swiss app ?

10
In the context of this thread:

yellow book = Vaccination record. Not everyone has a yellow book. I never had one until I moved to Switzerland and got a vaccine here. My husband's "yellow book" happens to be gray. This is the booklet where the healthcare professional records the date and type of vaccine issued, and the lot number.

swiss app = Swiss Covid Certificate app, proving the individual has been vaccinated with an approved vaccine in Switzerland

11
I'm confused now.

Why would one carry PCR test (I guess this is what Swiss Covid certificate is) and yellow book and Swiss app ?

Isnt one enough already ?

12
Depends on the country.

Tom

13
I believe the Swiss App is supposed to encompass both tests and vaccines, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Prior to yesterday (I think that was the day?), the EU didn't recognize the Swiss app.

Thus if a person wanted to be totally "safe", it was best to take a printout of a PCR test and/or vaccination record in addition to using the app.

You never know when you're going to encounter a border official who enjoys making people's lives difficult.

Edit - Also what Tom says. Not all countries recognize each others' vaccination apps but they all seem to be okay with paper printouts so long as you have what they want. Some countries don't care if you're vaxxed, you still need an antigen or PCR test.

14
depends on the country really, but if you are vaccinated or got a test it's a good idea to also carry a paper print-out readable by a human.

Every country has different criteria for what they consider good enough (x days after second dose, vaccination validity period etc.), and which tests they accept.

15
if you have a test, why anyone cares if you are vaccinated ? its already enough to let you in

16
I know the OP was asking about train travel in particular but FYI, I just thought I'd mention that I've driven across at Chiasso twice recently and both times went through without being stopped -- despite all I'd read about needing an Antigen test / double vax proof / official travel form completed etc. As it happens I had all this info with me, and I'm not recommending that you ignore it. But I wasn't asked to show anything and haven't spoken to anyone who has been stopped. Presumably some may have been.

17
I've driven probably 10 times in last 2 weeks. through Chiasso and A9, no one cares. They dont even have border patrol there, only customs people.

18
Exactly this - I have a yellow global vaccination record from many years ago, and got this stamped at the vaccine centre

The Swiss Covid app has a digital record of my 2x vaccinations. Would always carry a paper version as a backup

19
For those of you who crossed to Italy at Chiasso in the car, what PoE (point of entry) did you choose for the Passenger Locator Form? Ponte Chiasso or Brogeda?

20
Whichever you plan to cross at.

Tom