Motorists and rail commuters on the Franco-Swiss frontier awoke on 11 June to find 21 of Geneva’s 28 crossing points closed and passport controls re-instated at the remaining seven. The extraordinary measures, in force until 18 June, are part of a Franco-Swiss security bubble for the G7 leaders’ summit in Évian-les-Bains (15–17 June). Switzerland has deployed up to 5 000 troops to support cantonal police, while France has stationed 6 100 gendarmes and 1 400 vehicles across Haute-Savoie. Freight flows are already being re-routed through La Ferrière-sous-Jougne after Switzerland shut the A1 at Meyrin-Bardonnex to heavy lorries. Cross-border workers—many employed at Geneva Airport, CERN or in the city’s hospitals—are bracing for hour-long tailbacks. The Groupement transfrontalier européen is advising members to carry employment contracts and allow at least an extra 60 minutes. The Léman Express and TER regional trains between Évian and Thonon are suspended for the week. To ease movement for essential staff, the Préfecture of Haute-Savoie is issuing a free “Pass G7” that must be shown alongside an ID at checkpoints. Companies can download application forms online and receive digital passes within 24 hours. Business-travel managers should update itineraries that involve Geneva Airport or the Arc-Lemanic road corridor. Travellers holding Schengen visas need no additional paperwork but must present passports—not national ID cards—when arriving by air because Switzerland has also activated temporary Schengen-internal controls.
Source: Euronews (French edition)
