The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Swiss respect coronavirus measures over Easter weekend

Gotthard tunnel sign
Switzerland is one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus. Keystone

Most of the Swiss population respected measures introduced to counter the spread of the coronavirus over the long Easter weekend, according to authorities. Police still had to be called on to deal with offenders, typically teenagers and young adults.

Families also violated the rules more often than average, according to the police in canton St Gallen in the northeast of the country. In many cases, several families went out together and violated the cap on gatherings larger than five people. But most citizens showed discipline despite the warm weather.

The holiday weekend also witnessed lower-than-usual street traffic, Swiss public radio, SRF, reports. The transalpine Gotthard tunnel in central Switzerland is usually congested with holidaymakers headed south for the Easter break. Not so this Good Friday which witnessed about 1,800 southbound vehicles, less than 10% the peak traffic seen in other years, according to police in canton Uri.

Since the start of Easter weekend, the daily number of new coronavirus cases dropped to around 400 between Saturday and Sunday. Numbers fluctuated between 700 and 800 last week. While too early to call, the drop raises hopes that Switzerland is moving away from the daily average of 1,000 cases witnessed at the end of March.

Some of the emergency measures introduced in March will be gradually eased towards the end of April. A decision on the specific areas and measures to be relaxed will be presented on April 16.

More
Stau Sonne

More

What Easter is normally like in Switzerland

This content was published on In Switzerland, the long Easter weekend is usually a time for festive gatherings and maybe a trip to another part of the country. Not this year.

Read more: What Easter is normally like in Switzerland
More


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Mürren

More

Earthquake hits Swiss Alps near Mürren

This content was published on The earth shook near Mürren in the Bernese Oberland on Monday afternoon with a magnitude of around 4.2 on the Richter scale.

Read more: Earthquake hits Swiss Alps near Mürren
For better public transport in Greater Geneva

More

Public transport in Geneva faces calls for overhaul

This content was published on Public transport services in Greater Geneva must better meet needs. The associations Transports et environnement (ATE) and Rail Dauphiné Savoie Léman (ARDSL) have drawn up a review of the situation, calling in particular for the Leman Express timetable to be extended.

Read more: Public transport in Geneva faces calls for overhaul
Zurich public prosecutor charges Sanija Ameti

More

Swiss politician who shot at baby Jesus risks fine

This content was published on The Zurich public prosecutor's office has brought charges against Zurich city parliamentarian Sanija Ameti for disturbing religious freedom. Ameti had shot at a picture of Jesus and Mary with an air pistol.

Read more: Swiss politician who shot at baby Jesus risks fine
New work of art by Saype adorns the Vaud Alps

More

New work by artist Saype adorns Swiss Alps

This content was published on The French-Swiss artist Saype has created a new giant painting on the summit of the Grand Chamossaire above Villars-sur-Ollon VD. The 2500 square metre work depicts a boy with a rucksack on his shoulders.

Read more: New work by artist Saype adorns Swiss Alps
Actor Carlos Leal returns to Switzerland

More

Swiss actor Carlos Leal leaves ‘arrogant’ LA

This content was published on According to "Schweizer Illustrierte", Swiss actor Carlos Leal is returning to Switzerland - after 15 years in Los Angeles. "It's become loud there, megalomaniacal and arrogant," he said in the online edition of the magazine.

Read more: Swiss actor Carlos Leal leaves ‘arrogant’ LA
Office of the Attorney General is investigating criminal charges relating to the sale of the Goldvreneli

More

Swissmint sued for alleged gold coin fraud

This content was published on A coin collector has filed a criminal complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland against Swissmint, the federal mint, for fraud in connection with the sale of the limited-edition 100-franc gold Vreneli.

Read more: Swissmint sued for alleged gold coin fraud
Vreni Schneider gets a museum

More

Museum to open devoted to Swiss ski legend Vreni Schneider

This content was published on Vreni Schneider is to have a museum in the centre of her home village of Elm. The legendary Swiss ski racer has numerous memorabilia at home, which she is now releasing and exhibiting.

Read more: Museum to open devoted to Swiss ski legend Vreni Schneider
Unknown persons steal weapons from shooting range in Wittenbach SG

More

Weapons stolen from Swiss shooting range

This content was published on A shooting range in Wittenbach, northeastern Switzerland, was broken into on Sunday night. The unknown perpetrators stole several antique weapons.

Read more: Weapons stolen from Swiss shooting range

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR