On 25 February 2020, Swiss authorities announced the discovery of the first known case of Covid-19 in Switzerland and assured the public that there was no reason to be concerned. The first case identified in Switzerland was a man in Ticino in his 70s, who had returned from a trip to northern Italy, where 220 […]
Covid: Swiss cases and deaths continue downward trend
This week, Switzerland’s Covid figures continued to improve. Over the seven days to 19 February 2021, Switzerland reported 7,048 new positive Covid-19 cases and 133 deaths. The number of daily cases reported in Switzerland over the same period averaged 1,006, a figure 20% lower than the daily reported average of 1,265 reported the week before. The current infection rate […]
Covid: Swiss government presents plan to reopen
On 17 February 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Council presented its plan to start reopening from 1 March 2021. With the number of new infections declining over recent weeks, political pressure has been growing for a return towards normality. A petition opposed to anti-Covid restrictions has now been signed by more than 250,000 people. At its meeting […]
Covid: more than 1% of Swiss population fully vaccinated
The latest figures published by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) show that 1.18% of Switzerland’s population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 since vaccinations began on 21 December 2020. The percentages varies by canton. The canton of Nidwalden, where 4.65% of the population have received a full course of vaccine, leads the way. […]
Growing black market trade in fake Covid tests, say Swiss authorities
European and Swiss authorities are seeing the emergence of an illegal trade in false negative Covid-19 test results, reported RTS. As more and more countries introduce requirements to produce negative Covid-19 tests as a condition of entry, so do the incentives to buy and sell false test results. This week, Switzerland introduced a new rule […]
More than 230,000 sign petition to end lockdown in Switzerland
A petition aimed at pressuring the federal government into ending coronavirus restrictions has collected more than 230,000 signatures. The petition was started by members of the young liberals party (FDP/PLR) in Zurich. It is supported by the Swiss Peoples Party (SVP/UDC) and USAM/SGV, a small business association. Petition organisers demand restaurants, bars, leisure and sports […]
Covid: Swiss cases and deaths down further this week
This week, Switzerland’s Covid figures continued to improve. Over the seven days to 12 February 2021, Switzerland reported 8,854 new positive Covid-19 cases and 155 deaths. The number of daily cases reported in Switzerland over the same period averaged 1,265, a figure 16% lower than the daily reported average of 1,508 reported the week before. The number […]
Covid: new negative test requirement for entering Switzerland
From Monday 8 February 2021, many people entering Switzerland require a negative PCR test. Currently, there are restrictions on who can enter Switzerland. Generally, only those with a Swiss passport, a valid Swiss residence or cross-border permit, and those who are citizens of an EU or EFTA nation are allowed to enter Switzerland under the […]
Covid: Swiss deaths down 30% this week
Switzerland’s Covid figures have improved significantly since the peak of the second wave in November and December, when deaths rose to around 100 a day. Over the seven days to 5 February 2021, Switzerland reported 10,553 new positive Covid-19 cases and 216 deaths. The number of daily cases reported in Switzerland over the same period averaged […]
Covid: responding to coronavirus conspiracy and denial
This week, the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force published a guide on responding to coronavirus conspiracy and denial. During the second wave, trust in the decisions of the Swiss authorities has dropped below where it was in spring, and the social consensus on how to respond to the pandemic eroded over the summer, said […]
