Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland

After imposing unprecedented restrictions on public life to contain the pandemic, Switzerland has eased its measures and re-opened its land borders. But there has been a worrying rise in new cases since mid-June. Here is where things stand, and the latest information from Swissinfo.ch on the measures still in place. 

• From July 6, passengers on all Swiss public transport will have to wear face masks after an increase in the number of new cases and demands from cantons.
• Also from July 6, anyone entering Switzerland from risk areas will have to undergo a ten-day quarantine.
• Since mid-June the number of new cases has begun to slowly creep up in different parts of the country. 
• Over 1,500 people are in quarantine after being exposed to several new local outbreaks of the virus in different parts of the country. 
• Since June 22, public and private events of up to 1,000 people have been permitted on condition that contact tracing is guaranteed. Larger events are still banned. The recommended safe distance between people has been reduced from two metres to 1.5 metres.
• Corona virus tests are now free for residents; the SwissCovid contact tracing app also became available on June 25; as of June 30, about 920,000 people had downloaded it.
• Travel is now possible between Switzerland and the European Union, EFTA countries and the United Kingdom. It is likely to be expanded to a further 18 "safe" countries from July 20. 

From July 6, all passengers on Swiss public transport will have to wear face masks as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.