Today, Swiss voters voted on whether Swiss companies should be legally liable for the human rights and environmental damage caused by their own activities or any companies that supply or work with them. With 50.73% of voters in favour of the new law and 49.27% against it, the margin was narrow. Polls just before the vote suggested […]
Swiss politician wants Covid-19 scientific advisory group disbanded
The Swiss government response to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has drawn criticism from the Swiss Peoples Party (UDC/SVP). One party member has called for the scientific advisory group, known as the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force, to be disbanded, according to the newspaper Blick. The scientific advisory group supports the Federal Council, […]
Swiss home prices rose over the third quarter of 2020
Over the third quarter of 2020, home prices in Switzerland rose by an average of 0.2%. However, the prices of some homes rose while others fell. According to figures published by Switzerland’s federal statistical office, the price of individual houses rose 1.1% while the price of apartments fell by 0.6%. The price rise for individual […]
Swiss referendum: ban on financing weapons
On 29 of November 2020, Swiss voters will vote on whether to ban the financing of weapons makers. As are many nations, Switzerland is involved in the arms industry. Swiss companies produce weapons and parts for weapons, while Swiss investors finance weapons manufacturers both in Switzerland and abroad. In Switzerland, weapons manufacture is subject to […]
Swiss referendum: responsible business initiative
On 29 of November 2020, Swiss voters will vote on the responsible businesses initiative, which aims to improve human rights and the environmental protections under Swiss law. Swiss companies are expected to uphold human rights and comply with environmental standards, not just in Switzerland but also when doing business abroad. Switzerland has played an active […]
Switzerland could be only nation in Europe to keep ski resorts open
Both France and Germany have announced that they will not allow ski resorts to open this year. Italy recently back tracked on a plan to allow resorts to open and Austria is undecided. During the first wave of infections during spring, ski resorts were hotspots for the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Austrian resort […]
Covid-19 vaccine could be approved in Switzerland in first quarter of 2021
The US and EU have announced the possibility of beginning vaccinations in December 2020, however, in Switzerland it is likely to take longer. Philippe Girard, a director at Swissmedic, the body that approves drugs in Switzerland, discussed the process in an interview on RTS. Unlike the US and the EU, Switzerland has no law allowing […]
Non-essential shops to reopen in Geneva
Retailers in the canton of Geneva are allowed to reopen on Saturday 28 November 2020, announced the canton’s government this week. Non-essential businesses have been closed in Geneva since the beginning of November as part of a set of measure design to slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus introduced by the government. The reopening […]
Covid: Switzerland’s weekly reported death toll climbs further
Over the 7 days to 27 November 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 675 new deaths among laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases, bringing the death toll to 2,519 since summer and 4,250 since the beginning of the year. The 1,843 reported Covid-19 deaths over the last 3 weeks represent 43% of the total deaths so far in Switzerland. As the […]
Switzerland’s 2021 motorway vignette unveiled
Every year Switzerland’s motorway vignette is a different colour. This year it’s pale metallic green. Valid from 1 December 2020 until 31 January 2022, the new stickers that must be displayed by anyone using Switzerland’s motorway network will be available at the same CHF 40 price in the usual places: service stations, garages, post offices […]
