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

One in two Swiss in favour of lockdown for unvaccinated

protest
A rally against the Covid-19 measures on October 23, 2021 in Bern. Keystone / Peter Schneider

In a survey of 1,000 Swiss residents, half of the respondents approved of movement restrictions for people not vaccinated against Covid-19. 

Older residents are even more wary of the unvaccinated. According to the survey, published on Sunday by the Sonntagsblick news outlet, two-thirds of people aged between 60 and 79 support the idea of lockdowns for the unvaccinated.

The respondents were split over the issue, with 47% against lockdown for the unvaccinated, while 3% had no opinion. The idea of a lockdown for all, on the other hand, was rejected by 80% of respondents.

The idea of compulsory vaccinations was also divisive, according to the survey carried out by the Link Institute. Half of all Swiss men and women were in favour of compulsory vaccination. Approval of compulsory vaccination rises to 62% in the 60-79 age group and to 68% in Italian-speaking Switzerland, which was hit the hardest during the first Covid wave in 2020. 

Moreover, 65% of respondents agree that vaccination should be compulsory for certain occupational groups, such as those in healthcare.

Changing attitudes

Two-thirds of the Swiss surveyed also approve of the introduction of stricter measures that will be applicable from Monday. The government announced that only people who have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 (so-called 2G rule) will be able to access restaurants, cultural, sporting and leisure venues and attend indoor events.

In a previous survey carried out at the end of November, half of those questioned were against stricter protective measures. The proportion has now fallen to a third.

Switzerland recorded 9,941 new infections on Friday, with 1,627 hospitalisations and 294 patients in intensive care. This last figure is the most concerning for the government, which fears that hospital intensive care units may be over-run as the new Omicron variant spreads.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Army seeks "contemporary" solution for bunker facilities

More

Swiss army looks to repurpose old bunkers

This content was published on The army is looking for a modern solution for its decommissioned fortress mortar bunkers, with plans to turn them into hardened defence hubs.

Read more: Swiss army looks to repurpose old bunkers
Women's Euro: Berne celebrates a football festival without a happy ending

More

Switzerland knocked out of Women’s Euro 2025

This content was published on Spain ended Switzerland’s run in the Women’s Euros on Friday, but fans in Bern made history with the largest supporters’ march in Women’s Euros history.

Read more: Switzerland knocked out of Women’s Euro 2025
Solar aeroplane flies around the Matterhorn

More

Solar plane flies around Matterhorn

This content was published on Solar energy pioneer Raphaël Domjan and his team continued preparations for the altitude record attempt at 10,000 metres with the SolarStratos solar aircraft.

Read more: Solar plane flies around Matterhorn
Compulsory vaccination against cattle disease in Geneva and parts of Vaud

More

Vaccinations imposed for some Swiss cattle

This content was published on Cattle in the canton of Geneva and in the neighbouring region of Terre Sainte in the canton of Vaud are being vaccinated against the contagious viral skin nodule disease. The first cases of the animal disease were reported at the end of June in France, just outside Geneva.

Read more: Vaccinations imposed for some Swiss cattle
Small rockfalls occurred above Brienz GR

More

Rockfalls measured above Swiss village

This content was published on A series of rockfalls occurred above the village of Brienz between 9 and 12 July. According to the municipality of Albula, the overall situation remains tense. Several people disregarded the ban on entering the area around the village.

Read more: Rockfalls measured above Swiss village
Arosa Bergbahnen with record sales

More

Arosa cable cars celebrate record year

This content was published on Arosa Bergbahnen achieved the highest figure in its 95-year history in the 2024/25 financial year with net revenue of CHF 37 million. Arosa Lenzerheide was able to capitalise on strengths such as snow reliability and the size of the ski area in a long winter season, the company announced on Thursday.

Read more: Arosa cable cars celebrate record year

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