On 18 June 2020, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) said it would maintain its negative rate of interest (-0.75%) and remains willing to intervene more strongly in the foreign exchange market. The coronavirus pandemic has led to a severe downturn in economic activity and a decline in inflation both in Switzerland and abroad. The bank […]
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: cheap drug substantially cuts severe case death risk, according to large UK trial
A trial at Oxford University suggests an existing low-cost drug can cut the risk of death from Covid-19 substantially. Tests involving 6,000 hospitalised Covid-19 patients suggest the drug can cut the risk of death for those on ventilators from 40% to 28%. For patients needing oxygen the risk of death could be cut from 25% […]
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 […]
Coronavirus: latest antibody study suggests 10.8% of Geneva infected in first wave
A recently published update to the ongoing study in Geneva to assess the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests 10.8% of the population may have been infected in the first wave of infections. The study, which tests a sample of the population over time for IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, started in early April 2020. The latest figures […]
Swiss parliament votes in favour of flight tax
A majority of Switzerland’s parliament voted in favour of introducing a tax on flights departing from Switzerland. 132 voted in favour of the tax, with 65 against. The tax would range from CHF 30 to CHF 120 depending on the distance and class of travel, according to 20 Minutes. Private flights would be taxed too. […]
Coronavirus cost could rise to 40 billion francs in Switzerland this year
The coronavirus could cost Switzerland CHF 40 billion by the end of 2020, according to the Federal Council. On 11 June 2020, the Council of States, Switzerland’s upper house followed parliament in approving to extend the coronavirus budget by CHF 14.9 billion. The sum includes money to fund a hole in the unemployment benefits system […]
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 […]
Coronavirus: new cases stable with small rise in deaths in Switzerland
In the seven days to 12 June 2020, the number of new SARS-CoV-2 infections recorded in Switzerland was 127. A similar number of new cases was recorded in the week before (108) and the week before that (121), according to Worldinfometer.com. However, the number of deaths was up slightly when comparing the recent week (17) […]
Coronavirus: Switzerland confirms lifting of COVID restrictions regarding all EU/EFTA states and UK
On 12 June 2020, Switzerland’s Federal Council approved an earlier plan by the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to remove Schengen States from the list of high-risk countries, and reintroduce rights of free movement into Switzerland from 15 June 2020. All restrictions imposed on persons entering Switzerland from the Schengen Area will be […]
