What can’t I do in Switzerland anymore?

Are families still allowed to visit the playground? © Keystone / Gaetan Bally

On March 17, the Federal Council (Switzerland's executive body) issued a recommendation for all residents to stay at home, especially the elderly or those in at-risk groups. What does that mean in practice?

Can I go outside at all?

The government recommendation gives three situations where you can leave your home: going to work (if you can’t work at home), buying groceries or going to the doctor. Social contact should be restricted to phone calls or social media for the time being.

You can still go outside for some fresh air but Daniel Koch, head of the department for infectious diseases at the Federal Office of Public Health, told Swiss Public Television, SRF, that people should go outside on their own or with family members who live with them.

However, some cantons have introduced an upper limit of the number of people who can meet up, for example, five, in Geneva.

Confused? The government has only issued strong recommendations right now about staying at home. The less contact we have with each other, the better. Even if you feel healthy and don’t belong to an at-risk group, these actions are to stop the spread of the virus.

Does that mean I should stock up on food and supplies at home?

No. There is no shortage of food or medication in sight. Buying a bit more than usual to avoid going to the shop so often is sensible, but stockpiling is not necessary and even worse, it causes problems for other people. It is still possible to keep a safe distance from others in shops.

Can I still visit elderly relatives?

You can help older people by going shopping for them, but leave the groceries outside their door and do not go into their home. Talk to them through a window or call them on the phone to check on them. Keeping in touch from a safe distance is important, so that people do not feel isolated. The elderly are still allowed to leave their homes for fresh air, but keeping a distance from other people is an absolute and non-negotiable must.

Can children play together?

Yes. Koch comments: “Of course children can play with each other. After all, they are not the drivers of this epidemic”. However, playgroups or similar get-togethers should not be set up and parents must keep their distance from each other.

What about playgrounds and parks?

In contrast to other countries, playgrounds and parks in Switzerland remain open. According to Koch, visits to the playground are still allowed, but people must make sure they can keep their distance from each other while they are there.

Do the same recommendations for children apply to teenagers?

Teenagers and young people have a lot of contact with each other and are very mobile. For these reasons, parties with friends should be postponed and teenagers should stay at home to avoid spreading the virus and infecting other people.

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