Switzerland’s health authority says it expects mask wearing may be necessary for several years in Switzerland. The reason for longer term mask wearing is the risk posed by unvaccinated people. In a memo to cantonal health authorities, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) said that even after the vaccine has been offered to everyone […]
Covid: Swiss government to keep restaurants and theatres closed
On 19 March 2021, the Federal Council decided to relax restrictions regarding indoor gatherings of family and friends from five to a maximum of ten people. However, faced with rising case numbers, the risk of an uncontrolled increase in cases is currently too great to allow any further measures to be eased, said the government. […]
Covid: infections continue to accelerate this week in Switzerland
This week saw new cases rise 19.3%. This follows an increase of 13.5% the week before. Over the seven days to 19 March 2021, Switzerland reported 9,964 new Covid-19 cases. The 7-day average is currently 1,423 new daily cases, up from 1,194 last week. Vaccination progresses with 5.0% now fully vaccinated and 13.7 doses per 100 people […]
Covid: Swiss plan to open further now tentative after signs of third wave
On 12 March 2021, the Swiss government presented its tentative plan to reduce Covid-19 restrictions from 22 March 2021. According to the government it is currently unclear how the epidemic will develop. Reproduction rates and case numbers have begun rising again. The reproduction rate across the country is now 1.13 (5 March 2021) and only […]
Covid: growth in cases accelerates this week in Switzerland
Over the seven days to 12 March 2021, Switzerland reported 8,355 new Covid-19 cases, 13.5% more than the week before, when cases rose by 2.8%. The 7-day average is currently 1,178 new daily cases, up from 1,051 last week. Vaccines and higher levels of natural immunity help. But according to a nationwide antibody testing programme, the majority […]
Covid: cases up slightly again in Switzerland this week as vaccinations slowly proceed
Over the seven days to 5 March 2021, Switzerland reported 7,358 new positive Covid-19 cases, 2.8% more than the week before, when cases rose by 1.5%. However, the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force remains concerned. Case numbers can quickly rise, as they did in early October 2020. On 12 October 2020, there were around 1,200 […]
Swiss parliament demands cabinet reopen restaurants and theatres
A recent parliamentary vote on whether to issue a formal request to the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive, to reopen restaurants on 22 March 2021, found a majority of 97 to 90, according to Le Matin. The main parties supporting the demand were the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) and the PLR (FDP). The Socialist and Green […]
Vote against Swiss Covid-19 law set for June 2021
Switzerland has several kinds of referendums. One, called and optional referendum, gives voters a chance to overturn laws created by the government. Calling an optional referendum requires 50,000 signatures, a hurdle comfortably cleared by the organisers of a referendum to overturn Switzerland’s Covid-19 law introduced on 26 September 2020. On 3 March 2021, Switzerland’s Federal […]
Covid vaccination in Switzerland – good if you are over 79
Some are getting frustrated by the slow pace of vaccination in Switzerland. Israel has now administered 96 doses per 100 and nearly 90% of those over 50 are fully vaccinated. By 28 February 2021, only 9 doses per 100 had been administered in Switzerland and only 3% population had been fully vaccinated. Rates far behind […]
Covid: steep rise in antibodies in Switzerland
Corona Immunitas, a nation-wide testing programme has been tracking the percentage of Switzerland’s population with antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus over time. Since the second wave of the pandemic, the percentage of the population with antibodies has more than doubled in many of the cantons covered by the study. A sharp rise in antibody rates […]
