This week, 118,555 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Switzerland, down 25% from the 157,683 cases reported a week earlier. The reported number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised also fell 20% from 492 to 392 across the week. Covid-19 deaths were also down. Across the week, 61 Covid-19 related deaths were reported, a figure 13% lower than the 70 […]
City beehives destroying wild bee populations in Switzerland
There are too many domestic bees in Swiss cities, according to a study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL). Beekeeping is booming in Swiss cities, but the uncontrolled increase in honeybees is putting increasing pressure on wild pollinators, threatening urban biodiversity, found the study. The results suggest that beekeeping […]
Few third-generation foreigners born in Switzerland becoming Swiss
In 2017, in a referendum, 60.4% of Swiss voters agreed to let third-generation residents apply for citizenship via a fast-track process, which was opened in February 2018. However, out of the roughly 25,000 third-generation residents qualifying, only 1,847 (7%) of them had naturalised by the end of 2020, according to a recent report published by a […]
Swiss to pay extra for replay TV
Winterthur-based Init7 recently started charging extra for replay TV. Other providers are set to follow, according to 20 Minutes. Until recently, replay TV, which allows viewers to record shows and watch them at a time of their choosing, was included at no extra charge to subscribers. The problem with replay TV is that it allows […]
Chart of the week: the rising number of popular initiatives in Switzerland
Four times a year, Swiss voters are asked to cast votes on proposals put forward by at least 100,000 citizens who must sign in support. Popular initiatives that do not reach the hurdle of 100,000 signatures don’t make the cut. Over the decades the number of popular initiatives has grown significantly. In the 80 years […]
Switzerland’s large number of homeless
According to a recent report by the Federal Housing Office (OFL) there are an estimated 2,200 homeless residents in Switzerland and another 8,000 at risk of losing their homes. The authors of the report collected information from 616 municipalities across 22 cantons to compile the data. 616 municipalities covers around 28% of Switzerland’s total. Reasons […]
Covid: 40% of Switzerland may have been infected with Omicron
A recent report by the Swiss Covid-19 Science Task Force estimates that as much as 40% of Switzerland’s population may have been infected with the Omicron varient over a four-week period. At the peak of the Omicron wave, almost 900,000 people in Switzerland tested positive for the Omicron varient over four weeks. Adding in unreported […]
Switzerland lifts nearly all anti-Covid measures
On 16 February 2022, the Swiss government announced that masks and Covid certificates will no longer be required to enter shops, restaurants, cultural venues and other public settings and events from Thursday, 17 February 2022. The requirement to wear masks in the workplace and the recommendation to work from home will also end. The only […]
Swiss vote results on animal testing, stamp duty, tobacco and media support
On 13 February 2022, Swiss voters voted on four federal initiatives on animal testing, stamp duty, tobacco advertising and government support for media. A majority (79.08%) of Swiss voters rejected a ban on animal testing, a government plan to remove investment stamp duty (62.67% against) and government support for Swiss media (54.56% against). The only initiative achieving […]
Swiss to vote on government support for media
On 13 February 2022, Swiss voters will decide on whether to accept a federal law on a package of measures to support the media in Switzerland. Switzerland’s government voted to support the media in Switzerland as it adjusts to the impacts of the shift to digital which has seen large platforms that create no content […]
