Over the last week there have been an average of 15 new SARS-CoV-2 cases a day. The first confirmed case in Switzerland was recorded on 24 February 2020. In the week that followed the number of new daily infections rose to 31. Another week later the number of new daily cases was 192. The daily […]
Coronavirus: Switzerland plans to lift all restrictions on Schengen movement
Switzerland’s Federal Council plans to lift all travel restrictions and re-establish free movement of persons across the Schengen area no later than 6 July 2020 and possibly as early as mid June, it announced today. If the epidemiological evolution allows, restrictions on entering, working and living in Switzerland will be lifted for all Schengen states […]
Coronavirus: extensive easing of restrictions from 6 June in Switzerland
From 6 June 2020, measures put in place to fight the spread of SARS-CoV-2 will be extensively eased, according to Switzerland’s government. The number of new cases of infection has remained low for a number of weeks now, as has the number of hospital admissions and deaths, said a press statement. From 30 May 2020, […]
Coronavirus: drop in revenue could leave Swiss hospitals with 3 billion loss
In Switzerland, the finances of hospitals are similar to those of a business. If revenues fall, as they did during the coronavirus pandemic, profits can turn into losses. During the recent phase of the pandemic, non-urgent operations were postponed to free up hospital capacity to care for serious Covid-19 cases. Postponing these operations has left […]
Close to 1,000 people gather for a football match in Lausanne, despite crowd ban
Close to 1,000 young people assembled to watch a football match on Thursday evening in Boveresses, a northern suburb of Lausanne, in defiance of Switzerland’s ban on gatherings of more than five people, according to RTS. The group, aged mainly between 16 and 20, were there to watch a match between teams from the cities […]
Religious gatherings allowed to restart in Switzerland
On 20 May 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Council decided it would allow religious services to take place again from 28 May 2020. Faith communities should be able to resume their common religious life, said the government. Religious communities have one week to come up with plans to protect people from the virus and ensure possible chains […]
Italy set to reopen borders with Switzerland from 3 June 2020
Italy is preparing to reopen its borders with the rest of Europe, according to the newspaper La Repubblica. A draft law on new rules was published on 15 May 2020 by the Italian Council of Ministers. It provides for the possibility of allowing entry to Italy from 3 June 2020 without requiring those arriving from […]
Most want masks made compulsory on Swiss public transport, suggests survey
More than two thirds are in favour of making masks compulsory on Switzerland’s public suggests a survey run by Tamedia, according to the newspaper Le Matin. In addition, the survey showed widespread support for tracing apps (60%) and reopening schools (70%). Confidence is Switzerland’s government (84%) was high. 45% thought the pace of reopening was […]
Coronavirus: unmarried couples can cross between Austria, Germany and Switzerland
On 15 May 2020, the Swiss government announced that the borders between Switzerland, Germany and Austria are to open again for unmarried couples in long-term cross-border relationships from midnight. These borders are also open for those wishing to visit relatives or attend important family events. Restrictions will also be lifted for people who own a […]
Coronavirus: new studies suggest fatality rates far lower than early estimates
At the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, fatality rates were based on those testing positive for the virus using mucus-based swab testing. Now, we have the results of an increasing number of community-wide antibody blood tests, and they paint a different picture. The main SARS-CoV-2 test involves taking a mucus sample and analysing it to […]
