Starting on Friday, the canton is offering free, voluntary testing in the run-up to a week of school holidays starting February 20. The campaign kicks off in the resort of Villars-sur-Ollon (which by 4PM had done almost 400 tests, four of which were positive), and will then come to Les Diablerets and Leysin. Tests are being offered to anyone over 12 years of age, including non-residents.
The aim is to “save the end of the ski season”, according to Vaud authorities, and to avoid coronavirus clusters as happened in Verbier in December. Verbier is in neighbouring canton Valais, which is expected to follow suit with testing.
Switzerland has kept its ski resorts open despite the pandemic and despite this causing tension with some neighbouring countries.
More
More
Authorities rule out lockdown of Verbier
This content was published on
Swiss authorities have rejected calls by doctors in Verbier to impose a strict confinement on the chic mountain resort.
Ski resorts have been targeted because “they are going to see a lot of mixing of people in the next few weeks”, Vaud government leader Nuria Gorrite told public broadcaster RTS on Thursday. “We want to avoid the virus being transported from one place to another. What the resorts need least is to become national clusters!”
Other regions and ski resorts have already introduced similar measures. These include the southeastern canton of Graubunden and the resort of Wengen in canton Bern, where the iconic Lauberhorn ski race had to be cancelled because of coronavirus fears.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Lauberhorn ski race cancelled owing to Covid-19 fears
This content was published on
On Monday the International Ski Federation (FIS) said it had been advised by the health authorities in canton Bern to cancel the Lauberhorn races after all. “The cancellation of one of the most prestigious race weekends in the World Cup calendar makes the heart of every ski fan bleed,” said Bernhard Aregger, CEO of Swiss-Ski. “However,…
Swiss continue search for absconded British tourists
This content was published on
Swiss cantons are still trying to identify tourists from the UK and South Africa who are staying in their resorts or who fled quarantine.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.