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 […]
Unemployment up in second quarter of 2020 in Switzerland
Switzerland’s unemployment rate rose from 4.2% to 4.6% in the second quarter of 2020, according to a recent survey that measures unemployment more broadly than Switzerland’s official unemployment measure. The method used for these calculations is the one defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which includes all available job seekers – ILO definition of unemployment. […]
Anti-corona protest planned later this month in Zurich
After protests in May 2020, an eclectic group of anti-corona protestors is planning to protest against vaccines, masks and other measures aimed at limiting the spread of the virus on 29 August 2020 in Zurich, according to the newspaper Le Matin. In May 2020, several anti-corona protests took place across Switzerland. The police took action […]
Switzerland adds 11 more nations to its compulsory quarantine list
From 20 August 2020, people entering Switzerland from Andorra, Belgium, Monaco and 50 other nations must quarantine for 10 days. Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recently added 11 places to its existing list of regions where there is an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among them are Albania, Andorra, Gibraltar, Monaco, Belgium and […]
Swiss activist loses appeal against conviction for bringing a failed asylum seeker into Switzerland
Anni Lanz, a 74 year old activist from Basel, was caught bringing a failed Afghan asylum seeker back to Switzerland in violation of Swiss law in February 2018. The man, a former soldier from Afghanistan, who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, found himself sleeping on the streets of Milan after his Swiss asylum application […]
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 […]
Switzerland to give nothing to the Lebanese government
Monika Schmutz, Switzerland’s ambassador in Lebanon has categorically excluded providing financial aid to the Lebanese government fearing a corrupt government would spend it inappropriately, according to RTS. Instead Switzerland will send money via aid agencies, as it has already done to the Lebanese Red Cross. The ambassador was in her office overlooking the port when […]
Small business association rejects Swiss vote to end free movement of workers with EU
The Swiss Trade Association, an organisation representing Switzerland’s small and medium sized businesses (SME) reiterated on Wednesday that it rejects the upcoming referendum aimed at ending Switzerland’s agreement with the EU on the free movement of workers between Switzerland and the bloc. The referendum, known as the Limitation Initiative, will be put to Swiss voters […]
Switzerland’s anti-noise initiatives spark anger
Last weekend, hundreds of motorcyclists protested in Bern over two parliamentary initiatives aimed at silencing their bikes. According to Le Matin, between 200 and 300 motorcyclists assembled to protest after calls were sent out via social media. The proposed laws would ban motorcycles emitting more than 95 decibels from Swiss roads. 95 decibels is around […]
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 […]
