The cantons of Vaud and Jura recently announced that masks must be worn in shops and supermarkets. After bringing the initial wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections under control through a series of nationwide measures, Switzerland’s federal government decided to take a more backseat role, allowing the governments of the nation’s cantons to take a more localised […]
Coronavirus: rise in new cases continues to accelerate in Switzerland
In the seven days to 3 July 2020, the reported number of new SARS-CoV-2 infections recorded in Switzerland was 615, up from 251 the week before. Over the weeks prior to this there were 172 and 127 new cases, according to worldinfometer.com. Much of the recent rise is due to clusters of infections found in people […]
Swiss retail sales up 30% in May after COVID-19 measures eased
Recently published figures show a overall jump of 30.2% in retail sales in May 2020 compared to April 2020. May’s rise of 30.2% follows falls of 6.5% in March and 13.7% in April. However not all retail sectors experienced the same rise in May sales. Food, drink and tobacco sales rose 3.4% and fuel sales […]
Coronavirus: some might be immune without antibodies
A recently published but not peer reviewed study conducted in Sweden suggests that some people might have immunity to SARS-CoV-2, despite testing negative for antibodies. The human immune system contains many actors. Antibodies, which tag and attack pathogens directly, are just one part of it. T-cells, the focus of the recent Swedish research, are able […]
Coronavirus: Swiss government makes masks compulsory on public transport
On 1 July 2020, Switzerland’s federal government announced that it would become compulsory to wear masks on public transport from 6 July 2020. Due to the the growing number of people using public transport and a rise in the number of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 since mid-June, the Federal Council has decided to make […]
Coronavirus: Swiss nightclubs in firing line after new infections found in Zurich club
Restrictions on nightclubs are being discussed in Switzerland after 5 people frequenting the Flamingo Club in Zurich tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, according to RTS. Those testing positive and another 300 club-goers have been quarantined. Remaining 1.5 metres apart is not easy in a nightclub. Add noise and the inevitable shouting that goes with it in […]
Could Swiss ski resorts face Covid-19 lawsuits?
As the events and decisions surrounding the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus become clearer, fingers are being pointed. A mass lawsuit targeting events in the Austrian resort of Ischgl is looming, according to Bloomberg. Could similar legal action spread to Swiss resorts? At the end of last year, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission issued a […]
Coronavirus: new cases continue to slowly rise in Switzerland
In the seven days to 26 June 2020, the reported number of new SARS-CoV-2 infections recorded in Switzerland was 251, up from 172 the week before. Over the weeks prior to this there were 127 and 108 new cases, according to Worldinfometer.com. A number of the new cases have been linked to workplaces, private parties and […]
Swiss Covid-19 taskforce head thinks latest restriction easing premature
Over the weekend Matthias Egger, the head of the Swiss Covid-19 taskforce warned that the lifting of restrictions on 22 June 2020 was premature. Egger told the newspaper NZZ that we continue to lack an effective monitoring system for the whole of Switzerland, reported the newspaper Le Matin. On 19 June 2020, the federal government […]
Switzerland’s latest easing of Covid measures allows large political protests, provided masks worn
On 19 June 2020, Switzerland’s extraordinary state in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic ended. This was accompanied by further easing of restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of the virus. Hand washing, maintaining social distance and mask wearing are the three golden rules that remain, according to Swiss president Simonetta Sommaruga. The minimum distance to […]
