400 Britons f lee Verbier to swerve quarantine

HUNDREDS of British holidaymakers have fled an upmarket Swiss ski resort after they were ordered to quarantine.

Authorities in Verbier had told 420 to isolate for ten days last Monday after the discovery of the more contagious Covid strain.

But most escaped the alpine village overnight with many re-emerging in France. Only a dozen visitors remained yesterday.

Hoteliers began to suspect a secret departure because calls to quarantine rooms were repeatedly unanswered and meals left in front of their rooms were not touched.

Regional spokesman Jean-Marc Sandoz said: ‘Many of them stayed in quarantine for a day before they set off unnoticed under cover of darkness.’

He condemned Switzerland’s decision to impose quarantine requirements so hastily, adding: ‘We understand their anger.’

Verbier, located in the municipality of Bagnes in Canton Valais, is a popular ski destination for British tourists.

Local media reported ‘xenophobic resentment’ against British tourists in the upmar

‘We understand their anger’

ket resort over Christmas. ‘Anyone who speaks English is suspicious,’ it said.

Mr Sandoz added: ‘Many people are unfairly denounced and accused of breaking the quarantine instructions – only because of their language.’

One elderly woman from London, who had self-isolated in her second home in Verbier, said: ‘For days I was put under general suspicion. It was unbearable.’

Switzerland blocked all flights from the UK and South Africa in connection with the new Covid variants on December 20.

A day later, officials ordered all those who arrived from Britain since December 14 to quarantine from their date of arrival.

Mr Sandoz said: ‘That was the worst week our community has ever experienced.’