Additional measures against Covid-19 will soon be taken in Switzerland, reckons Lukas Engelberger, president of the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Português
pt
Cantões consideram novas restrições devido à Covid
Discussions are already being held in the cantons about tightening measures, he said in an interviewExternal link with the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper on Monday.
“We find ourselves in a typically Swiss logic: from the bottom up,” he said. “First of all, the cantons are called upon to use our leeway. This is limited, but we now have to try. If we then see that this is not enough, the government will have to take action again.”
In concrete terms, the cantons could extend the obligation to have a Covid certificate to other facilities and areas, for example to visitors and employees in nursing homes or hospitals, Engelberger said.
“The reintroduction of compulsory masks is also possible – for example at events where certification is compulsory or in schools,” he said. However, he doesn’t believe the cantons should question the approach of using certificates, which is prescribed by federal law.
The Swiss Covid certificate has been compulsory since September 13 for admission to restaurants, gyms, cinemas, and big cultural and sporting events. It limits entry to those who have been vaccinated, tested or recovered from Covid-19 (the 3G rule, as it’s known in German).
More
More
Epidemiologists sceptical over stricter Covid certificate rules
This content was published on
Several leading Swiss epidemiologists have expressed reservations about tightening the scope of the Covid certificate.
Last week Interior Minister Alain Berset ruled out a tightening of anti-Covid measures despite a strong increase in new infections. On Friday the national health authorities reported just over 6,000 confirmed new cases of Covid-19 within the past 24 hours, compared with around 1,200 new cases a month ago.
“We are reluctant to take tougher measures,” Berset said. “Every country has its own policy.”
On Monday neighbouring Austria went into a nationwide lockdown in a desperate effort to contain spiralling coronavirus infections.
On Sunday Swiss voters will decide on the country’s Covid law. This will be the second time in a little less than six months that the Swiss people give their verdict on the same law – a first in the history of Swiss direct democracy. On June 13, the Covid-19 law was accepted by 60.2% of voters and only rejected by some cantons in central and eastern Switzerland, where resistance to the government’s measures to combat coronavirus is concentrated.
Since the beginning of the pandemic 11,000 people in Switzerland have died in connection with Covid-19.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
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
Swiss health officials: No plans for tightening anti-Covid rules
This content was published on
Interior Minister Alain Berset has ruled out a tightening of anti-Covid measures despite a strong increase in new infections.
Fate of Covid certificate to be decided at the ballot box
This content was published on
On November 28, Swiss voters will decide on the future of the controversial Covid certificate in a nationwide referendum.
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.