Further decisions from the Second Federal Council announcement

Family reunification from 11 May - border controls remain in place
From 11 May, the Federal Council will relax the entry restrictions for workers. As a result, the cantons can now process applications for a residence or cross-border commuter permit from EU or EFTA citizens if these have been submitted before 25 March.

Workers from third countries who already have a work permit, but have been refused entry because of the Corona crisis, may enter Switzerland from 11 May, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday. At the same time, family reunification will again be made possible for the immediate family members of Swiss citizens and of persons from the EU or EFTA countries residing in Switzerland.

Tourists from abroad in summer in Switzerland?
Swiss people will have to spend the summer holidays in Switzerland. Are tourists from abroad expected? Karin Keller-Sutter says clearly: "Switzerland cannot open its borders unilaterally, that will not work." Switzerland has no interest in unilaterally increasing mobility across the border. It is, however, "entirely conceivable" that special rules may still be made with individual countries.

Athletes are allowed to train again - Grassroots sport: maximum 5 people
From 11 May 2020, amateur and professional athletes will be able to train again in both individual and team sports. The prerequisites for this are protection concepts and compliance with hygiene measures. In grassroots sport,however, only small groups with a maximum of five people  can train together, body contact is not allowed, and the hygiene and distance rules must be taken into account.

In competitive sports, teams of more than five people are also allowed to  train together. This applies, for example, to athletes who belong to a national squad or to team sports with predominantly professional playing facilities. 

Amherd spoke explicitly about fitness centres: they must present a protective concept before they can reopen their areas.

Competitions are not allowed, although the Federal Council wants to allow games in professional leagues to be played without spectators, so-called ‘ghost games’, from 8 June 2020. A definitive decision is expected on 27 May. This decision will depend on how the pandemic develops.

Federal Councillor Amherd announces the protection concepts in sport.

Can swimming pools open?
For sport yes, for tanning no!
Amherd: "Swimming pools can open if they can comply with hygiene rules. Amherd then specified that it is up to the cantons or the municipalities to decide whether opening up is possible. Basically, "You can go to the Badi to do sports," says Amherd. "But not to meet friends and improve your tan."
 

Holidays in Switzerland
Keller-Sutter: "Holidays in Switzerland are possible at any time. We want to thereby restart the economy. The tourism industry has been hit particularly hard," says Keller-Sutter.

Due to the economic situation and also the uncertain prospects for entry to other countries, the Minister of Justice recommends planning the summer holidays for 2020 in Switzerland, instead of abroad:

Holidays abroad in the autumn?
Keller-Sutter: "Whether you can go abroad for your holidays in the autumn depends very much on the situation in the respective country. The statements of my colleagues were different with regard to Swiss citizens entering other countries.  Nobody wants to commit themselves to this now.”

For the EU, the priority with regard to opening up is the Schengen area, and third countries only be considered afterwards. Intercontinental travel will probably not happen so quickly, and, if so, probably with quarantine measures, such as having to be isolated at one place for about two weeks, which makes a trip rather unattractive.

Border crossings for private individuals
Karin Keller-Sutter regarding the country's borders. "The lockdown in Ticino ends on 4 May and the canton can then also reopen the border crossings," says the Minister of Justice. This applies not only between Ticino and Italy, but also to a number of  border crossings that are due to reopen next Monday.

With regard to the free movement of persons, Keller-Sutter says: Applications made in March can now be processed again. This does not apply to private travel, however. Spouses can see each other again, but this does not apply to the extended family. Grandparents who want to see their grandchildren again are still not allowed to do so, and the entry restrictions on private travel continue to apply as everywhere else in Europe. Even in the case of common law marriages, there are only exceptions if you have children together or if a partner is seriously ill.

Can more than five people train in a fitness centre?
Amherd: "If the fitness centres have a protection concept, they will be allowed to re-open from May 11th. You have to be aware: a fitness centre is not a meeting place, it is a sports facility. If the social distancing can be maintained and protection concepts are available, nothing stands in the way of them opening. The maximum number of visitors must be determined, of course."
 

What about semi-professional sport?
What about semi-professional sports like handball or floorball? And can youth and sports camps be held in the summer?

Federal Councillor Amherd: "Unihockey, handball and other sports are considered as professional sports. Youth and sports camps can be held, provided that the measures are complied with. However, we want to absolutely prevent the infections from flaring up again."