Ski holidays are off after the Swiss government banned UK tourists in the New Year due to 'high-risk' Covid-19 infection rate

Thousands of ski holidays have been abruptly cancelled after the Swiss government announced a ban on British tourists from January 1.

Travellers will be unable to enter Switzerland for non-essential travel because the UK will be categorised as a ‘high-risk’ country after Brexit.

Switzlerland has been open to British visitors during the pandemic thanks to rules which allow travel between countries within EU’s Schengen free movement zone.

Travellers will be unable to enter Switzerland (pictured, file photo) for non-essential travel because the UK will be categorised as a ‘high-risk’ country after Brexit

But the UK will not be treated under those rules after Brexit, meaning member states could choose to block British arrivals due to our high infection rates.

The Swiss government website confirmed last night: ‘If you are a UK national you may not enter Switzerland for non-essential travel (e.g. for the purpose of tourism) from 1 January 2021 for as long as the UK is categorized as a high-risk country by Switzerland.’

Some winter holidaymakers had pinned their hopes on Switzerland, which is one of the few places in Europe with resorts still open.

Although travellers from the country must self-isolate on return, their quarantine can be cut from 10 days to as little as five under the ‘test to release’ scheme for travellers.

It comes after Norway announced they would also ban British travellers in the New Year due to our high infection rate.