covid-19 updates

This content was published by Swissinfo.ch on 23 March  2020 at 4:21 p.m.

Please note: the texts marked in blue will transfer you to the English-language reports of swissinfo.ch

Switzerland is one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus, with more than 8,000 people tested positive and 66 deaths.

Here’s the latest information: 

• As of March 23, 8,060 people have tested positive and the death toll has reached 66. It will take at least a week for the rate of infections to ease, health officials warn.
• The government has issued a recommendation to all citizens to stay at home, especially the sick and the elderly. It has announced a countrywide ban on gatherings of more than five people and more measures to help support the economy.
• Ticino has ordered manufacturing plants to cease operation. Cantons have been warned not to exceed the recommendations of the government.
• Government charters flights to repatriate Swiss tourists trapped abroad.  
• An “extraordinary situation” has been declared, resulting in a ban on all private and public events and closing bars, restaurants, sports and cultural spaces; only businesses providing essential goods remain open. Schools are closed nationwide. The measures are in force until April 19.

What’s the current situation in Switzerland?

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the government has categorised the situation in the country as “extraordinary” This allows the authorities to take over certain powers from the 26 cantons and to impose measures, including bans on events. The application of these legal provisions is a first for Switzerland.

The government has ramped up its response to the widening pandemic, ordering the closure of bars, restaurants, sports facilities and cultural spaces. Only businesses providing essential goods to the population – such as grocery stores, bakeries and pharmacies – are to remain open. Banks and post offices will also be open. The new measures are in place until April 19.

The Federal Health Office said numbers of positive tests were rising so fast that it is difficult to provide accurate figures. More than 6,000 tests are being carried out in Switzerland per day. Experts warned that cases will continue to rise, and that “we have to make sure the infection rate goes down today, because otherwise, in ten days Swiss hospitals won't be able to handle it.”

While calling on people to stay at home unless necessary, the government says that daily supplies of medicine and food are guaranteed. The government has rationed some common painkiller and anti-fever drugs to prevent panic buying.

The government recommends that residents stay at home, especially the sick and people 65 or older. Some cantons went further by forbidding over-65s from leaving their homes, except for visits to the doctors, or a 2-hour walk, alone. However, the Federal Justice Office said such measures are in violation of the nationwide regulations.

 A decision by canton Ticino, a region neighbouring Italy, to close down factories and stop all non-essential economic activities is considered illegal.

The Swiss government has introduced a countrywide ban on gatherings of more than five people in public places.

Stranded travellers wait for their flight home at Bogota airport, which has been turned into accmmodation with 224 beds.

What are the main new government measures?

Public life is shut down

Schools have been closed throughout the country until April 4 (several cantons have longer closures until April 30). Several universities were also closed. 

Private and public events have been banned while bars, restaurants, sports facilities and cultural spaces have been closed. Only businesses providing essential goods to the population – such as grocery stores, bakeries and pharmacies – are to remain open. The new measures are in place until April 19.

The planned nationwide ballot scheduled for May 17, which included a proposal to scrap an accord with the European Union on the free movement of people, has been postponed. A new date will be set by the end of May.

Massive help for the economy

A priority is to ensure that employees continue to receive their wages. The government has announced a CHF 32 billion ($32.6 billion) aid package to help support the economy, in addition to a CHF10 billion package a week earlier. This money is aimed at helping companies survive the economic downturn caused by coronavirus.

+ More help for the economy

The new package provides CHF 20 billion for companies with liquidity problems to obtain transitional bank loans. Companies hit by the crisis will be able to defer payment of social insurance contributions temporarily and without interest. These measures also apply to self-employed persons whose turnover has fallen.

There is also money to fund the imposition of short-time work at firms while other tranches have been set aside for hardship loans and to support specific sectors such as event management.

Partial unemployment claims have increased sharply due to the coronavirus pandemic and are expected to continue to rise. As of March 23, 21,000 companies had submitted such a request. That figure represents 315,000 workers. 

Border controls and restrictions on entry 

The Swiss government has introduced wide-ranging checks at land borders with surrounding Austria, France, and Germany, after previously having done so with Italy.

Only Swiss citizens, Swiss residents, those entering the country for professional reasons (e.g., those who work here and have a permit to prove it), and those transiting through, can enter. Even foreign partners of Swiss citizens, who do not have a right of residence in the country, will be turned away.

On March 18, restrictions were ramped up again: travellers arriving by air from the four neighbouring countries are now also unwelcome, as are people coming from Spain, along with those from outside the Schengen visa-free area.

By March 21, 16,000 people had been refused entry into Switzerland. Border patrols are being stepped up to prevent people from illegally entering Switzerland. Private transport across borders has fallen by 77% but goods transport is operating normally.