The coronavirus is set to knock a CHF 1 billion hole in Switzerland’s federal budget for 2021, according to a press release. Without the virus the budget was CHF 2.2 billion in the black. Post virus the budget is now CHF 1 billion in the red. The virus is expected to add CHF 2.0 billion […]
Swiss salaries rise faster than inflation for the first time in 2 years
In 2019, Swiss salaries were on average of 0.9% higher than the year before. A nominal rise of +0.9% combined with low inflation of 0.4% delivered a real boost of 0.5% to someone earning an average salary in Switzerland. This is the first time in two years that the average Swiss salary has grown faster […]
Swiss retail sales up 30% in May after COVID-19 measures eased
Recently published figures show a overall jump of 30.2% in retail sales in May 2020 compared to April 2020. May’s rise of 30.2% follows falls of 6.5% in March and 13.7% in April. However not all retail sectors experienced the same rise in May sales. Food, drink and tobacco sales rose 3.4% and fuel sales […]
Coronavirus: some might be immune without antibodies
A recently published but not peer reviewed study conducted in Sweden suggests that some people might have immunity to SARS-CoV-2, despite testing negative for antibodies. The human immune system contains many actors. Antibodies, which tag and attack pathogens directly, are just one part of it. T-cells, the focus of the recent Swedish research, are able […]
Coronavirus: Swiss government makes masks compulsory on public transport
On 1 July 2020, Switzerland’s federal government announced that it would become compulsory to wear masks on public transport from 6 July 2020. Due to the the growing number of people using public transport and a rise in the number of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 since mid-June, the Federal Council has decided to make […]
Coronavirus: Swiss nightclubs in firing line after new infections found in Zurich club
Restrictions on nightclubs are being discussed in Switzerland after 5 people frequenting the Flamingo Club in Zurich tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, according to RTS. Those testing positive and another 300 club-goers have been quarantined. Remaining 1.5 metres apart is not easy in a nightclub. Add noise and the inevitable shouting that goes with it in […]
Could Swiss ski resorts face Covid-19 lawsuits?
As the events and decisions surrounding the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus become clearer, fingers are being pointed. A mass lawsuit targeting events in the Austrian resort of Ischgl is looming, according to Bloomberg. Could similar legal action spread to Swiss resorts? At the end of last year, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission issued a […]
Summer camps – post lockdown learning and adventure in the Swiss Alps
Brought to you by Aiglon College. 2020 has been a tough year so far for both parents and their children. Swiss schools were closed in mid-March and children were sent home to be supervised by parents, many of whom had to juggle this new activity with an already hectic schedule. Some now fear this missed […]
Left-wing extremists engaged in more violence than right-wing extremists in Switzerland
In 2019, there were 236 extremist incidents in Switzerland, according to Switzerland’s federal intelligence service. 88% (207) of the total incidents related to left-wing extremism and 12% (29) to right-wing extremism. In addition, far more left-wing incidents turned violent (115). Only one right-wing incident in 2019 involved violence, according to the intelligence service. In addition, […]
Coronavirus: new cases continue to slowly rise in Switzerland
In the seven days to 26 June 2020, the reported number of new SARS-CoV-2 infections recorded in Switzerland was 251, up from 172 the week before. Over the weeks prior to this there were 127 and 108 new cases, according to Worldinfometer.com. A number of the new cases have been linked to workplaces, private parties and […]
