A recent poll conducted by GFS.bern suggests Swiss are becoming less interested in nutrition and exercise. While a majority (77%) still say they are fairly or very interested in nutrition and exercise, the percentage saying they were very interested fell from 41% in 2014 to 27% in 2020. Over the same period, the percentage saying […]
Referendum: Swiss to vote on two weeks paternity leave
On 27 September 2020, Swiss voters have many decisions to make. The list of referenda is long and includes decisions on fighter jets, ending the free movement of people between Switzerland and the EU, hunting and tax deductions for child care. Another is a decision on whether to accept a proposal to grant fathers two […]
Is ventilation in Swiss schools good enough to reduce the spread of Covid-19?
As pupils across Switzerland soon start returning to school, some might wonder how well ventilated school classrooms are. A study published by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in 2019 estimates that the air quality in two thirds of Swiss classrooms was inadequate. The study, which ran over two years, sampled the air quality […]
Coronavirus: new masks rules for pupils of post-obligatory schools in French-speaking Switzerland
This week, the association of public teachers for the French- and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland (CIIP) published its guidelines for reducing the spread of Covid-19 when schools reopen. The cantons followed with their new rules. Staff and teachers at all levels of school will continue to wear masks in situations where they are less than […]
Coronavirus: Swiss health authority adds pregnant women to risk list
After a number of recent studies that suggest pregnant women are exposed to higher risks from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) adds them to the list people vulnerable to Covid-19. The FOPH reached its recent conclusion based on discussions with the Swiss society of gynaecology and obstetrics. The society sets […]
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 […]
Coronavirus: percentage of Swiss expecting a resurgence drops sharply
A poll by Sotomo run in June 2020 on behalf of RTS suggests 26% of the Swiss public expect a resurgence of Covid-19 cases. When the survey was run in May 2020, 51% of those questioned expected the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Switzerland to grow – 14% expected a strong increase and 37% expected […]
Coronavirus: national lockdown not part of Switzerland’s second wave response plan
Switzerland’s federal government is against imposing nationwide restrictions to slow the spread of a second wave on infections, according to the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper. The federal government plan, which is under development, is more regional than the response to the first wave of infections and focuses decision making power at the cantonal level, reported […]
Swiss parliament decides lesbians should have access to sperm
On 11 June 2020, Switzerland’s parliament voted in favour of gay marriage and allowing lesbian couples to have access to sperm donations. 132 parliamentarians voted in favour of the proposal with 52 voting against it. All of Switzerland’s main political parties voted in favour of allowing lesbians access to sperm with the exception of the […]
Children soon allowed to cycle with pedestrians in Switzerland
Switzerland’s government recently announced that children up to 12 will be allowed to cycle on footpaths from 1 January 2021. The new rules will allow all young children to ride on footpaths when there is no cycle lane. Currently, only first grade primary school children can cycle on sidewalks in Switzerland. The government said that […]
