Federal Council postpones certificate requirement

The majority of the cantons and the social partners support a possible extension of the certificate requirement, in order to prevent hospitals from becoming overloaded.

The Federal Council (Bundesrat) was informed of the results of a corresponding consultation at its meeting on 1 September 2021. The number of hospital admissions of corona patients remains high, but has not increased in the last week. For this reason, the Federal Council has not yet taken a decision. It can, however, decide on measures to relieve the burden on hospitals at any time should this become necessary.

The dynamics of the pandemic in Switzerland have weakened somewhat in recent days, although the utilisation of the intensive care units remains very high. Some hospitals have started postponing operations that are not urgently needed.

The further development of the pandemic is currently difficult to assess: the circulation of the virus could increase again if people spend more time indoors as temperatures fall. It is also possible that the current stabilisation will continue, however.

The development also depends on how many people are vaccinated, with the number of daily vaccinations increasing again in recent days,. Vaccinated people have a significantly lower risk of becoming infected, and are much less likely to become ill after infection. In this way, they relieve the burden on hospitals, and also protect all those who are not vaccinated.

Certificate requirement consultation: feedback mostly positive
A week ago, the Federal Council launched a consultation on possible measures against the spread of the corona virus. The cantons are in favour of extending the certificate requirement if there is an overburdening of hospitals, and a majority of the social partners, as well as the sports, culture and trade fair organisations who were consulted, also support the Federal Council's plans. Some participants reject the proposals, while others are critical of the use of the Covid certificate, and, in particular, the inclusion of the certificate in protection concepts in the workplace. Several organisations are also demanding that the federal government continue to pay for the tests for the certificate.

Extension of the certificate requirement to prevent closures
Thanks to the consultation that has now been concluded, the Federal Council can react quickly should this become necessary. It will thereby make an overall assessment, taking into account both the number of hospitalisations and the number of cases, as well as the dynamics of the infection process. Any tightening of measures will only have an effect on hospital occupancy two to three weeks later. That’s why it is important for the cantons to organise hospital capacities well.

The extension of the certificate requirement is intended to prevent closures and to only restrict social and economic life to the extent necessary. The consultation considered imposing a certificate requirement for all the indoor areas of restaurants and bars, for indoor events (e.g. concerts, theatre, cinema, sports events, weddings) and for the indoor areas of cultural and leisure facilities (e.g. museums, zoos, fitness centres, indoor pools), as well as for sports and cultural activities indoors. There would still be no certificate requirement outdoors. The certificate is available to all, and documents a Covid-19 vaccination, an illness or a negative test result. The certificate requirement does not apply to children and adolescents under the age of 16.

Address for queries

Federal Office of Public Health Infoline Coronavirus
+41 58 463 0000
Infoline Covid-19 vaccination
 +41 58 377 8892