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 […]
Deadline for changing Swiss health insurance approaching
Once a year it is possible to (easily) change your health insurance in Switzerland. To do so you must cancel your existing policy by 30 November, a date fast approaching. Deadline for annual changes is 30 NovemberInsurers must tell their members what next year’s premiums will be by 31 October. Members then have until 30 […]
People working less in Switzerland
The amount of time spent working in Switzerland has been steadily declining since 2010, according to recent statistics from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). In 2020, an employed person worked an average of 1,495 hours a year in Switzerland, 7.2% or 13.8 days less than in 2010. To reveal the sharp drop in work hours […]
Levelling up – the cantons giving and taking in 2022
In 2022, under the national financial equalisation mechanism, 6 cantons will transfer some of their tax revenue to Switzerland’s 20 other cantons. Switzerland’s cantons have very different tax bases, costs and tax rates. Taxes in Switzerland are comprised of federal taxes, cantonal taxes and municipal taxes. Federal taxes are the same across all of Switzerland. […]
