Three Border Crossings Between Switzerland and Italy Reopen
Three border crossing points between Italy and Canton Ticino have been reopened on May 4, after being closed since mid-March as part of efforts to halt the spread of Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).
From now on, crossing points at Ponte Cremenaga, Brusino and Ligornetto will be opened from Monday to Friday and will be passable at specific periods;
- Ponte Cremenaga: from 6 am to 10 am, and from 4 pm to 7 pm
- Brusino: from 5 am to 9 am, and from 4 pm to 8 pm
- Ligornetto: from 6 am to 10 am, and from 4 pm to 7:30 pm
In the canton of Ticino the following border check points will be open: Dirinella, Chiasso Brogeda autostrada, Brusata di Novazzano, Chiasso strada, Gandria, Madonna di Ponte, Stabio and Ponte Tresa,
The decision was taken in a bid to facilitate the resumption of border traffic and to prevent traffic jams, as from May 11several preventive measures taken in the fight against the deadly virus will be relaxed.
The main purpose is to help cross-border workers from Italy who commute to their Swiss jobs.
Up to 67,800 Italians work in Ticino, and nearly 4,000 of them are employed in Ticino’s healthcare sector.
As Switzerland is starting to see signs of slowing in infections, last month the authorities decided to reopen five border crossing points with France, in the canton of Geneva, which remained closed as part of measures to stop the virus from spreading.
Switzerland announced that border crossing points at Mategnin, Soral II, Monniaz, Veigy and Landecy would be passable but limited to weekdays.
The Federal Council considered that there has been progressing on the lifting of current restrictions, but it did not mention when will all Swiss external borders fully reopen.
The Federal Council introduced border controls with France, Germany, Austria and Italy, since March 16, in a bid to halt the spread of Coronavirus outbreak.
