covid-19 explainer How social distancing is taking hold in Switzerland

The following content was published by swissinfo.ch on March 18, 2020 4:00 PM Mar 18, 2020 - 16:00

What began as a recommendation to avoid handshakes and kisses on cheeks has now turned into a measure urging residents to stay at home as much as possible. As the country's more than 8 million residents come to terms with new norms to combat the novel coronavirus, many of them are wondering just how much social contact is safe during a pandemic. 

The latest "social distancing" measures imposed by the government are meant to reduce the number of contacts between individuals dramatically and thus slow the spread of the virus.

The government in Bern, like neighbouring countries France, Italy and others, has asked residents to stay at home as much as possible and avoid unnecessary contact with others. 

While the rogue handshake will likely be brushed off, a new regulation that entered into force on March 16 predicts strict punishment for violations of the ban on large gatherings of up to three years’ imprisonment, although fines are much more likely. 

Social distancing could break the exponential spread of the virus in the population and prevent a collapse of the healthcare system. According to Alain Berset, the country’s interior minister responsible for health matters, social distancing “is the best way to slow the spread of the virus.”

The Swiss government has declared an “extraordinary situation”, instituting a ban on all private and public events and closing gathering places.

Can the Swiss still leave their homes? 

Yes, but they are advised to do so only if they have to go to work, do groceries, see the doctor, or walk the dogs. Going out for some fresh air is also possible, so long as people go on their own or with family members from the same household, the head of infectious diseases at the Federal Office of Public Health, Daniel Koch, told Swiss public broadcaster SRF.

In many ways, there are just fewer reasons to leave home. All restaurants, bars, museums, cinemas, ski pistes, swimming pools and businesses that require close contact between personnel and customers – hair salons, for example – are to remain closed until April 19. Schools are also closed. 

Businesses have been instructed to allow their staff to work from home if that is possible. Struggling companies can ask the government for permission to give their staff part-time unemployment benefits. 

Neighbouring countries have much stricter rules curbing social interactions. In France, residents need to be able to show a document that attests to their reasons for leaving their homes. 

Italians are only allowed to go shopping individually. There, police can send people back home if they’re not convinced that the reason for leaving it is reasonable. 

Unlike other countries, playgrounds and parks in Switzerland remain open, although children can play only in small groups and parents must keep a safe distance from each other.

Are the Swiss still allowed to meet others socially?

Yes, but all unnecessary social contact must be avoided. The government has banned all events, public or private. But it’s still possible to invite a few friends over for dinner, the public health office says on its website. Helping others, especially the elderly, is also encouraged.

Some cantons have imposed specific restrictions: in Geneva, for example, public and private meetings are limited to five people; in canton Vaud the maximum for private gatherings is ten. 

The general rule is to keep a distance of two metres to other people and follow good hygiene (washing hands thoroughly and coughing into the elbow). 

With schools closed, children looking for playmates can meet in small groups of up to five kids. The government has asked crèches or alternative childcare facilities to remain open, but these are also bound to follow the same guidelines on group sizes. Playgrounds and parks remain open, unlike in other countries, although playgroups are not allowed and parents must keep their distance from each other.

The elderly and those with certain medical conditions have been told to avoid all contact with children.  

Outings to restaurants and cafes are no longer possible because they've been ordered to close until at least April. Hotels have been ordered to drastically reduce the number of guests, who are nevertheless allowed to frequent hotel restaurants. 

The ban on larger gatherings is being increasingly enforced by police. Clubs and sports teams can no longer meet.

Can the Swiss still use public transport?

Yes, although the general advice from public health authorities is to avoid it if possible, since travelling on buses and trains can prevent riders from keeping physical distance between each other. 

The Federal Office of Public Health is encouraging people to walk or bicycle to work instead. Trains and postal car services are being significantly reduced. Those over 65 and people showing flu-like symptoms must avoid public transport altogether. 

What's the point of social distancing? 

"The aim [is] to stop any event where larger groups of people gather in enclosed settings at relatively high density," writes Benjamin J. Cowling, a professor at the University of Hong Kong, who co-authored an upcoming paper on the effectiveness of social distancing during influenza pandemics.

If people end up interacting closely with five people instead of the usual ten on a typical day – on public transport, at the office or in a restaurant – then "it should have a big effect in reducing the opportunities for transmission to occur," Cowling explains to swissinfo.ch.

Cowling and his co-authors argue that authorities deploy social distancing measures with three goals in mind: delay the peak of infections so they can prepare the healthcare system to cope with severe cases; reduce the size of the peak; and spread infections over a more extended period, to allow better management of cases and potential use of vaccines later in the epidemic.

Social distancing, however, “may not have much effect on transmission unless they lead to major changes in behaviour,” Cowling warns.

A new report from Imperial College London suggests that if social distancing is applied to the entire population in combination with other measures, like isolation of the infected and school closures, then it has the potential to rapidly reduce the number of new cases.

How is social distancing being enforced?

Across the country, shops that can stay open are gradually taking measures to limit the number of customers. Posters and announcements call on shoppers and commuters to keep a safe distance from each other. Cordons have even been set up at the front of buses and trams to maintain distance between drivers and passengers.

The Federal Council imposed unspecified fines and imprisonment of up to three years for violations of its set of measures to curb the spread of the virus. The military is assisting the police in the enforcement, but Viola Amherd, the minister of defence, stressed that troops are performing a supporting role to law enforcement.