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 […]
Swiss Covid-19 taskforce head thinks latest restriction easing premature
Over the weekend Matthias Egger, the head of the Swiss Covid-19 taskforce warned that the lifting of restrictions on 22 June 2020 was premature. Egger told the newspaper NZZ that we continue to lack an effective monitoring system for the whole of Switzerland, reported the newspaper Le Matin. On 19 June 2020, the federal government […]
Switzerland’s latest easing of Covid measures allows large political protests, provided masks worn
On 19 June 2020, Switzerland’s extraordinary state in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic ended. This was accompanied by further easing of restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of the virus. Hand washing, maintaining social distance and mask wearing are the three golden rules that remain, according to Swiss president Simonetta Sommaruga. The minimum distance to […]
SwissCovid app now available for download
On 25 June 2020, Switzerland’s contact tracing app, known as SwissCovid, became available for download. Created by a group of specialists at EPFL led by Marcel Salathé, a professor of digital epidemiology, the app allows chains of infection to be traced by informing people if they have been in contact with anyone infected. Countries, like […]
Earthquake in Chamonix shakes parts of Switzerland
On 23 June 2020, Switzerland’s seismology service reported an earthquake measuring 3.8 at 8.25 am in Chamonix, France, 4,5 km below the surface. The shake was felt in parts of the cantons of Vaud and Valais. Comments on Chamonix’s municipal Facebook page reported trembling windows and sounds like an explosion. No damage was reported. Mountain […]
