Covid: Swiss government tightens restrictions from Monday

On 3 December 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced tighter restrictions from Monday.

From 6 December 2021, Covid certificates will be required for more activities and mask wearing will be extended, said the government. In addition, the validity of rapid antigen tests will be reduced and people will be urged to work from home.

Infection rates have been rising rapidly for several weeks now. In addition to local outbreaks, mainly in schools and in nursing homes, the virus is also spreading again among the general population. In recent weeks, the number of severe cases and the pressure on intensive care units, has also risen sharply again, said the authorities.

The Federal Council said it considers the current situation to be of great concern. The emergence of the Omicron variant requires an additional pandemic response. The WHO classified Omicron as a variant of concern on 26 November 2021. It is believed to be highly transmissible, and it is possible that people who are immune to the Delta variant could also become infected. It is also unclear how well the vaccination protects against severe cases of the disease and how dangerous the new variant is.

Relieving pressure on hospitals
In tightening the measures, the Federal Council is focused on reducing infections with the Delta variant to relieve pressure on hospitals. The measures are initially limited until 24 January 2022. If these fail to have the desired effect, the Federal Council will decide on further measures. Vaccination remains the best way to relieve the pressure on hospitals, it said. It is also important to get a booster jab as quickly as possible.

Extension of Covid certificate requirement
The certificate provides proof that a person has been vaccinated, has recovered from the disease or has tested negative for Covid. It plays a significant part in reducing the risk of transmission. The certificate requirement now applies to all indoor spaces at all public events, as well as for all amateur sporting and cultural activities. The current exemption for fixed groups of fewer than 30 people is rescinded. A certificate requirement will now apply to outdoor events with over 300 people. The limit until now had been 1,000 people.

Experience has shown that private gatherings pose a significant risk of infection. Indoor gatherings of friends and family attended by 11 or more people will be subject to a certificate requirement. For the Federal Council it is important that the public are particularly careful, especially at private events such as family gatherings.

Extension of requirement to wear masks
Masks have proven to be a simple and cost-effective means of preventing the transmission of the virus. The requirement to wear a mask now applies in all situations where a certificate requirement applies – except at private gatherings, said the authorities.

Option of limiting access to those vaccinated or recovered
Particular care needs to be taken in situations where it is not possible to wear a mask. In these situations alternative measures will apply. At all public venues and events, whether indoors or outdoors, where a requirement to wear masks and be seated is impractical or undesirable, it will be permitted to restrict access to people who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from Covid. These people are considered to be far less infectious and are very unlikely to experience a serious case of the disease or need to be admitted to hospital should they become infected.

Urgent recommendation to work from home
To reduce contacts in the workplace, the Federal Council is issuing an urgent recommendation to work from home. In addition, all employees must wear a mask in indoor areas where several people are working. The vast majority of the cantons and the social partners were opposed to a requirement to work from home.

Validity of test certificates shortened
The validity of rapid antigen tests will be reduced from 48 hours to 24 hours from the time the sample is taken. PCR tests continue to be valid for 72 hours.

Lifting of capacity restrictions
Under the Covid-19 Act, the Federal Council can no longer restrict numbers in publicly accessible venues. Instead the Federal Council is asking cantons to impose restrictions as they see fit.

Decision to forgo testing requirement at schools
Following the consultation, the Federal Council has decided not to require all schools at compulsory and upper secondary level to offer routine tests. 17 out of 26 cantons rejected this requirement. The Federal Council is convinced of the effectiveness of routine testing as it allows infections to be detected at an early stage, thereby interrupting chains of transmission. It also reduces the risk that schools will have to close or that entire classes be forced to switch to distance learning.

Cooperation between federal government and cantons confirmed
Almost all of the cantons continue to accept the strategic principles of cooperation between the federal government and the cantons agreed in October 2020. A large majority is also prepared to take further steps if the measures at federal level are not sufficient to address the situation in specific regions.

Entry into Switzerland: Quarantine rule lifted, stricter testing requirement
At its meeting, the Federal Council also amended the rules on entry. With effect from Saturday, 4 December, there will be no countries on the quarantine list.

In order to continue to prevent the new Omicron variant from entering the country as far as possible, a stricter testing regime will now apply for all arrivals into Switzerland. This testing requirement also applies to those who have been vaccinated or have recovered from the disease. In addition to taking a PCR test before travelling, a second test (PCR test or rapid antigen test) must be carried out between the fourth and seventh day after arrival. This test ensures that infected persons who have contracted the virus shortly before or during travel are detected. Test costs must be borne by the traveller.

Non-vaccinated third-country nationals wishing to enter the Schengen area from countries or regions at risk will be refused entry to Switzerland for short-term stays without gainful employment of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days – apart from certain exceptions (hardship cases). This primarily affects tourism and social visits. The list of high-risk countries and regions is updated on an ongoing basis, taking into account the recommendations for the Schengen states issued by the European Commission.

More on this:
Government press release (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now

For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and Twitter.