No mass events likely in Switzerland before next summer
Mass event, including the street parade in Zurich, are unlikely before the summer of 2021, according to a senior epidemiologist.
Keystone/Alexandra Wey
A senior epidemiologist says it will take more than 12 months for daily life in Switzerland to go back to normal if a new wave of the corononavirus pandemic is to be prevented.
Marcel Tanner, a member of the government’s Covid-19 task force, does not expect a vaccine against the infectious disease to be available within 15 to 18 months at the earliest.
External Content
Never miss a top story: subscribe to our weekly newsletter now.
“There won’t be any football matches with mass spectators or concerts [this summer],” Tanner told the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper in an interview published on Friday.
Tanner, a former professor of epidemiology at the University of Basel and director of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, expects the government to ease restrictions on public and private gatherings of more than five people sooner.
He also said he expected that most people can go back to work in June if the necessary safety precautions are respected, including in public transport.
“We can be pragmatic about this,” he said. “Personally, I’d prefer to make the wearing of masks mandatory in public transport.”
Tanner is sceptical that it will be possible to resume our routines in daily life very soon.
He says it would take at least 60% of the population to develop an immunity against coronavirus. Tanner believes this could take up to the autumn of 2021.
Tanner also rejected criticism by various interest groups which want the government to ease the lockdown for the business community quickly.
The government strategy foresees a gradual relaxing of restrictions as of next Monday, followed by a further step on June 11, depending on the number of new infections.
Details are to be announced next week.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
US says Switzerland at ‘front of queue’ for trade deal
This content was published on
Switzerland's good offices between the US and China appear to have been positive for its own trade deal talks with the US.
Zurich council insists on Bührle art collection provenance research
This content was published on
The Zurich Cantonal Council has insisted that the Zurich Art Society and the Bührle Foundation clarify the provenance of all paintings.
Kosovo President to make first state visit to Switzerland
This content was published on
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu is coming to Switzerland on a state visit at the invitation of the federal government.
Basel authorities clarify threatening gestures against Israel at Eurovision
This content was published on
The Basel cantonal police are investigating the alleged threatening behaviour of an anti-Israel demonstrator at the Eurovision parade.
Swiss army tests weapons systems for long-range defence
This content was published on
The Swiss army is examining the acquisition of weapons systems and ammunition to defend the country's borders over longer distances.
Trump’s promise to lower drug prices rattles Swiss pharma stocks
This content was published on
US President Trump wants to make medicines cheaper in the US, which could mean huge losses for drugmakers, including those in Switzerland.
Trial opens in Switzerland for murder case of school caretaker
This content was published on
The trial of a man who allegedly killed a 41-year-old man with three shots in the Maggia Valley in May 2023 begins on Monday.
This test could help Switzerland get back on track
This content was published on
While we await a vaccine or treatment, scientists are developing tests to tell us how widespread the virus is, such as the serological test.
Covid-19 therapy could come by end of year, vaccine in 2021
This content was published on
Swiss pharma and business insiders predict that an effective drug therapy against Covid-19 will be available by the end of this year, but a vaccine might take a year longer than that.
This content was published on
Swiss scientists and drug companies are playing an important role in the global effort to develop treatments or a vaccine for the virus.
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.