South-bound traffic down by 90% for holiday weekend
The first of the four days of Easter has seen people in Switzerland largely complying with calls not to travel, particularly to the southern canton of Ticino.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
As the government wished, there has – so far – been no traffic jams recorded at the entrance to the Gotthard, the road tunnel linking the north of the country with canton Ticino in the south.
“People are clearly respecting the calls of authorities not to drive to Ticino, which is particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic”, a spokeswoman from the Viasuisse traffic monitoring body told the Keystone-SDA news agency.
Ticino police authorities said that the volume of traffic on the A2 motorway was down by 90% compared with normal; police from the canton Uri (at the north side of the Gotthard) reported similar numbers, saying that they counted some 1,800 cars per day heading south this week, compared with the normal of 17,000 for this period.
Uri police have also been stopping an average of 300 cars per day, to remind drivers of the government recommendations and to try to convince them to turn back, if possible.
In Switzerland, Good Friday and Easter Monday being bank holidays, the weekend is a four-day affair, and many head south, often to holiday homes.
This year, however, canton Ticino, which shares around half its border with Italy, is one of the Swiss regions hardest hit by the coronavirus epidemic: after Geneva, it has the highest number of cases per capita, while it has also recorded the highest overall number of fatalities to date.
In other regions of the country, including Bern, Zurich, and Neuchâtel, police reported that while many people were out and about, the majority were adhering to social distancing and maximum group-size rules.
Earlier this week, the government extended restrictive measures to contain Covid-19 by a week, to at least April 26.
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 Evangelical Reformed Church numbers dropping in French-speaking Switzerland
This content was published on
As in German-speaking Switzerland, the number of members of the Reformed Church in French-speaking Switzerland is also declining.
Gotthard traffic queue hits 20km during holiday weekend
This content was published on
The traffic jam at the Gotthard north portal reached a length of 20 kilometres on the motorway between canton Nidwalden and canton Uri.
Swiss Interior Minister visits Cannes Film Festival
This content was published on
Swiss Interior Minister left the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday after three days of intensive dialogue, meetings and film screenings.
Swiss theatre director breaks with tradition at Vienna’s Rathausplatz
This content was published on
With the proclamation of the "Free Republic of Vienna", the start of the festival on Friday evening was unusually political.
Swiss foreign minister backs Berset at Council of Europe
This content was published on
Cassis described Berset as the "ideal candidate" to help the Council realise its aim of ensuring security and peace in Europe.
Gay conversion therapy banned in Swiss canton of Valais
This content was published on
On Thursday, the canton approved a new Health Act which includes a ban on therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
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
Good Friday, bad Gotthard traffic
This content was published on
Long queues have been reported at the Gotthard tunnel in central Switzerland as holidaymakers head south for the Easter break.
How social distancing is taking hold in Switzerland
This content was published on
What began as a recommendation to avoid handshakes and kisses on cheeks has turned into a measure urging residents to stay at home.
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.