This week, the Federal Council rejected two very different initiatives aimed at changing the state pension system. In common with much of the developed world, Switzerland is facing a large gap between the money required to fund state pensions and the money flowing in to pay for them, a challenge driven by increasing life expectancy, […]
Switzerland’s 2022 motorway vignette unveiled
Every year Switzerland’s motorway vignette is a different colour. Next year it’s purple. Valid from 1 December 2021 until 31 January 2023, the new stickers must be displayed by anyone using Switzerland’s motorway network. The price remains the same. The motorway stickers have cost CHF 40 for 27 years. Introduced after a referendum in 1985, […]
First winter snow forecast across much of Switzerland this weekend
Snow is forecast to fall on much of Switzerland this weekend, according to various forecast services. According Swiss Meteo, snow is currently predicted to fall in Zurich, Bern and Lausanne on Friday and Saturday and in Geneva on Saturday and Sunday. While Basel is expected to get a bit on Saturday. Meteo Blue, another forecaster, […]
Covid: no tightening of measures in Switzerland as cases rise 35% in a day
On 24 November 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced no tightening of Covid measures in the face of rising cases. On Wednesday, 8,585 new cases were reported in Switzerland, a figure 35% higher than the day before. The rapid rise in Covid-19 cases in Switzerland mirrors similar trends in neighbouring Austria and Germany where cases have […]
Covid: booster doses of Pfizer vaccine authorised for everyone 16 and over in Switzerland
On 23 November 2021, Swissmedic, Switzerland’s drug approval agency, authorised third doses of the Pfizer vaccine for everyone 16 and over. Previously, booster shots of the vaccine were only approved for the vulnerable from 12 in Switzerland. Swissmedic announced that after reviewing the data it is adapting the information for healthcare professionals for the Covid-19 […]
Covid: cantons discuss restrictions as new cases rise to 14,590 over weekend
On 22 November 2021, the Swiss Federal Office of Health (FOPH) reported 14,590 new cases of Covid-19 over the weekend, a daily average of 4,863. The number of reported daily cases continues to rise. The 7-day average last Friday was 4,322. Over the weekend, 14,590 cases were reported, a daily average of 4,863. In addition, […]
Swiss franc highest against Euro since July 2015
On 19 November 2021, the Euro went below 1.05 Swiss francs, the lowest it has been since July 2015. The Swiss franc is viewed as a safe haven currency and tends to rise when markets are bearish. However, this week the shift in exchange rate may have had more to do with the situation in […]
Covid: 39% of patients have symptoms lasting 7-9 months, according to Swiss study
A study published this week by Geneva’s HUG hospital and the University of Geneva (UNIGE) on long-term Covid-19 reveals that 39% of patients have symptoms lasting 7 to 9 months. Women and those with more symptoms are more likely to suffer persistent symptoms, according to the research. These symptoms can disappear and return, however their […]
Cyber-bullying and stalking on the rise in Switzerland
Online harassment and cyberstalking are increasingly widespread in Switzerland, according to a recent survey. And the problem is no longer confined young people, reported RTS. The survey, which questioned 4,000 18-65 year olds in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland between 2 and 11 August 2021, found that the number of cases of harassment had increased […]
Covid: government poised to act as new cases up 36% this week in Switzerland
This week, 30,254 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Switzerland, up 36% from the 22,206 recorded the week before. On a 7-day moving average basis the number of daily new cases was 4,322. The last time case numbers were this high in Switzerland was last winter, although the current level is below the peak. In line with […]
