Do you know where the 200 missing British tourists are now?

Where are they?

I was going to say that this mysterious case has more holes than Gruyère cheese but Swiss Gruyère doesn't have holes does it?

Chewbacca

But, to be fair GagaJo, had the Swiss taken the same action as other European countries and closed their ski resorts, their wouldn't have been any "wealthy, privileged bunches" there in the first place would there? So my question earlier today remains unanswered: Why did they elect to keep them open, knowing full well that it would attract both domestic and overseas visitors?

There would be nothing wrong with keeping the Swiss resorts open for domestic visitors. I assume if you live locally to a ski resort that's what you do.
It would be a bit like closing our beach down here to all the surfers and body boarders who were enjoying the waves today.

But, to be fair GagaJo, had the Swiss taken the same action as other European countries and closed their ski resorts, their wouldn't have been any "wealthy, privileged bunches" there in the first place would there? So my question earlier today remains unanswered: Why did they elect to keep them open, knowing full well that it would attract both domestic and overseas visitors?

trisher

I was just thinking that if they haven't been found yet maybe we could ask the Chalet School girls to help (oh no that was Austria wasn't it?). Loved those books.
I suspect the new variant is far more widespread than we are being told, after all there are countries which have had the virus longer than we have (or is it assumed that this is a particularly British-loving variant?) Just because it hasn't been identified doesn't mean it isn't there.

Loved those books and so does my granddaughter but can’t find all the series for her, due to being out of print.

How many cars would there have been to transport 200 ? The lines that coming into my mind is ‘ They seek him here, they seek him there’ .... then I visualize a line of ...coaches heading west to the pacific ...

trisher

I was just thinking that if they haven't been found yet maybe we could ask the Chalet School girls to help (oh no that was Austria wasn't it?). Loved those books.
I suspect the new variant is far more widespread than we are being told, after all there are countries which have had the virus longer than we have (or is it assumed that this is a particularly British-loving variant?) Just because it hasn't been identified doesn't mean it isn't there.

Exactly.....I expect it will be just about everywhere.
Am guessing that the missing 200 are home now, feet up and eating Toblerones.

Actually, the Swiss are being very critical of the authorities in Verbier for not responding quicker, enabling the tourists to be located while they were in situ. By the time they got themselves organised and went to give the order to isolate, most had slunk off in the night in their 4X4 monstrosities.

But yes, this wealthy, priviledged bunch are just as bad as those that fled Ischgl last year and started the European pandemic. The camp I was in was full of children of the super wealthy, from Europe, China and Russia. All refusing to wear masks.

I was very very glad to take my two students and leave.

A local politician complained it was nearly impossible to control Covid-19 because of Europe’s porous borders

Christophe Darbellay, the president of the Valais government, defended his office against accusations that too little had been done to enforce the quarantine.

He said: “Some guests left by car and are now in quarantine in the UK. There is a sense of personal responsibility. You can travel all over Europe without having to identify yourself.

The border is a sieve.”

One of them is Andy Wigmore, self-confessed liar, friend of Donald Trump and Aaron Banks and *Brexit backer.*

And a Brexit backer? <<faints in a fit of the vapours >>

Thank you, merlotgran .

I was just thinking that if they haven't been found yet maybe we could ask the Chalet School girls to help (oh no that was Austria wasn't it?). Loved those books.
I suspect the new variant is far more widespread than we are being told, after all there are countries which have had the virus longer than we have (or is it assumed that this is a particularly British-loving variant?) Just because it hasn't been identified doesn't mean it isn't there.

MawBe

Indeed -only someone actually living in the country would have the full facts.

GagaJo did supply us with the link to an at the scene report. I believe by rhônefm which is a source of information for the local inhabitants.

It’s vitally important that the world keeps a lid on the new variant which, whatever people may think, seems to be being spread outwards from the U.K., probably because of our inability to control the virus. The vaccines will work against the new variant but we still have to be hyper careful. The eyes of the world are on the U.K. at the moment in more ways than one so it’s up to us to show how responsible we can be. As for countries opening up their borders during a pandemic I don’t think any country is blameless on that front although countries such as Taiwan, Japan etc seem to be more careful.

I was referring to the cheesy banter, westendgirl

If only we had someone who lives in Switzerland to explain the reasoning behind keeping the resort open.

Indeed -only someone actually living in the country would have the full facts.

Interesting to see that Andy Wigmore who boasted about this , friend of Arron Banks and Nigel Farridge , is claiming he has been awarded a contract to do testing . Great !

By the way Merlotgran, I don't find these antics funny. although I do have a very good sense of humour. I do not think we should look away at this appalling man's actions , but speak out against them . I really don't think this country needs people like him and his ilk.

If only we had someone who lives in Switzerland to explain the reasoning behind keeping the resort open.

Climbing every mountain! Couldn't resist thinking that!

On thinking about it what does it say about the sort of country that is still open for business for visitors during a global pandemic?

Humour was allowed to flourish during both our World Wars because it kept up people's spirits.

'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' can always look away.

The news story made me very angry.Our reputation down the drain again by the actions of self important individuals .Who do these people think they are.? I know what I think they are.

As an aside it was reported on the BBC that some of the hotels gave their "isolating guests " champagne .

Rich but stupid clowns. Verbier is a very wealthy, expensive Swiss ski resort.

A friend of mine worked close by in Crans Montana in 1982. Holidaying there at Christmas is normally reserved for the well heeled, privileged few.

Unfortunately these days there seems to be a total disconnect between wealth and common sense.

Yes imagine if it were a load of French tourists making dash for the channel to escape quarantine- the hatred and xenophobia would know no bounds. Those Brits who think they are above the rules should feel ashamed.

1. This is in chat, not news, politics, or coronavirus threads.

2. The OP appeared focused on their disappearance. Posters naturally picked up on that mystery scenario yesterday afternoon.

3. Of course people know it was wrong and not funny.

4. Not every thread has to turn into doom, gloom, blame. There's enough of that elsewhere.

Anyway, the cheese has gone off somewhat now. Hope the air doesn't start to turn as blue as my Roquefort.

Yes. Me too.