Switzerland: COVID-19 National Strategy

Switzerland: COVID-19 National Strategy: Resources

Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) coronavirus portal
New coronavirus: Current situation – Switzerland and international
FOPH 24 hour telephone hotline on Coronavirus
New regulations on health insurance in response to COVID-19
Ordinance on Measures to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
National centre for infection prevention
Swiss Influenza Pandemic Plan
Swiss Agency on Theraputic Products (Swissmedic)
Information on COVID-19 provided by major Swiss health insurers
FAQ on refusal of entry, free movement of persons and suspension of visas

Switzerland: COVID-19 National Strategy: Restrictions Reimposed Jan 18, 2021

“Changes as of 18.01.2021:

“Closure of shops selling goods that are not day-to-day necessities
“Shops and markets must close, with the exception of shops and open-air markets providing day-to-day necessities. The restrictions on opening hours for these shops and markets have been lifted. The restrictions on opening hours remain in place for businesses providing services.

“Maximum of 5 people at private gatherings
“A maximum of 5 people may take part in gatherings of family and friends. This number includes children.

“Maximum of 5 people at gatherings in public areas
“Gatherings in public areas are limited to a maximum of 5 people. This number includes children.

“Compulsory homeworking
“Employers are mandated to order homeworking wherever this is possible with reasonable effort .

“At work: compulsory mask requirement indoors
“At the workplace masks must be worn wherever there is more than one person in a room or vehicle. It is no longer sufficient to keep a distance between workspaces in the same room.

“Protection of vulnerable people
“There must be specific protection mechanisms for employees who are in vulnerable groups. Depending on the circumstances this may mean a right to work from home or even exemption from the obligation to work.”

“For detailed information on changes to national measures, please see: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/massnahmen-des-bundes.html#757183649.”

Source: COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor. A project of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, the European Commission, and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. From the web at https://www.covid19healthsystem.org/mainpage.aspx, last accessed March 22, 2021.

Switzerland: COVID-19 National Strategy: Restrictions At Institutions Of Higher Education

“Changes as of 02.11.2020:

“Ban on face-to-face teaching at higher education institutions
“Higher education institutions had to switch to distance learning. Classroom teaching is still permitted at compulsory school level and at upper secondary schools (baccalaureate and vocational schools).”

Switzerland: COVID-19 National Strategy: Reimposition Of Restrictions And Limits On Sporting And Cultural Activities

“Changes as of 29.10.2020:

“No recreational sporting or cultural activities with more than 15 people
“Recreational sporting and cultural activities are only permitted indoors for up to 15 people if a sufficient distance can be maintained and if masks are worn. A mask does not have to be worn if there is a generous amount of space, such as in tennis halls or large rooms. Outdoors it is only necessary to ensure that people keep their distance. Contact sports are prohibited. These rules do not apply to children under the age of 16.

“With regard to professional sporting and cultural activities, practice and training sessions, competitive events, rehearsals and performances are permitted. Performances by amateur choirs are prohibited, although professional choirs may continue to practise.

“Restrictions on public and private events
“A maximum of 10 people can take part in private events among friends and family (which do not take place in publicly accessible places, for example at home). The limit on numbers of people include children.
“Events with more than 50 people will no longer be permitted. This concerns all sporting, cultural and other events. The exceptions to this rule are parliamentary and communal assemblies. It is still permitted to hold political demonstrations and collect signatures for referendums and initiatives – as long as the necessary precautionary measures are taken.

“Further restrictions for restaurants and bars
“No more than four people are allowed to sit at a table in restaurants and bars, with the exception of families with children.
“All bars and restaurants must close between 11pm and 6am.
“The following still applies: food and drink may only be consumed sitting down.

“Discos and nightclubs are closed
“Discos and nightclubs are closed and the holding of dance events is prohibited.

“Extended mask-wearing requirement
“Nationwide mask-wearing requirement applies additionally to:
“• outside establishments and facilities, such as shops, venues, restaurants and bars, or at farmers’ and Christmas markets
“• in busy pedestrian zones and wherever the required distance cannot be maintained in public spaces
“• in schools from upper secondary level upwards
“• in indoor spaces at work: masks must be worn as soon as two people are in contact with each other at work, for example in open plan offices or meeting rooms”

Switzerland: COVID-19 National Strategy: Reimposition Of Restrictions Due To Increasing Rate Of Infection

“Changes as of 19.10.2020:

“Recommendation for home office
“The Federal Council added a paragraph on working from home to the Ordinance on Measures during the Special Situation to combat the COVID-19 Epidemic. Employers are required to observe the recommendation of the Federal Office of Public Health for employees to work from home.

“Restrictions for bars, clubs and restaurants
“In restaurants, bars and clubs, food and drink may only be consumed when seated, both in-and outdoors.

“Ban of spontaneous gathering of more than 15 people
“Spontaneous gatherings of more than 15 persons are not permitted in public spaces, including town squares, paths and parks.

“Requirements for private events
“Private events should be avoided whenever possible. At private events with 16 or more people, food and drink may only be consumed while seated. Anyone not sitting on their seat must wear a mask. The general rules on hygiene and social distancing must be observed and contact details recorded. For private events with more than 100 people, there must be a set of precautionary measures, and these events may only be held in publicly accessible venues.

“Wearing of masks compulsory in public transport facilities throughout Switzerland
“The existing requirement for masks to be worn on public transport has been extended to the waiting and access areas for public transport. It therefore applies on platforms and in railway stations too, for example.

“Wearing of masks compulsory in all publicly accessible inside spaces throughout Switzerland
“It is mandatory to wear a mask in all publicly accessible establishments and inside spaces, including shops, banks, cinemas and restaurants.”

Switzerland: COVID-19 National Strategy: Transition Measures: Border Reopenings and International Travel

“Since June 15, border crossings from and to Germany, France and Austria possible again, and persons entering Switzerland from any of the Schengen states can do so subject to the normal entry requirements.”

Switzerland: COVID-19 National Strategy: Transition Measures: Monitoring and Surveillance

“On April 16, the Federal Council presented a plan consisting of three phases for the relaxation of measures taken to combat the COVID-19 epidemic (see section 1.2). Part of the plan is that as soon as the number of Corona cases in Switzerland has fallen sufficiently, the cantons will resume the consistent tracing of infection chains.

“On April 29, the federal government published a plan for the containment phase. Once the number of new infections has fallen sufficiently, all cantons will be required to conduct interviews to trace transmission chains throughout the country (contact tracing). The aim is to detect infected persons at an early stage and to ensure that any person with symptoms can be tested, not only those who are at high risk or who have already been admitted to hospital, as it is currently the case. Persons who test positive will be isolated, while those who had contact with them will be notified and quarantined.”

Switzerland’s COVID-19 National Strategy: Personal Protective Equipment

“Starting the week of April 27, the Confederation will supply one million hygienic masks to leading retailers every day for two weeks. Healthcare providers, companies and private households are responsible for the procurement of their own masks. The Confederation is in contact with retailers to ensure sufficient supply of masks in the coming weeks and will gradually expand supply. If procurement cannot be met through normal channels, the Confederation will provide subsidies. To date, the Armed Forces Pharmacy has distributed 21 million hygienic masks to the cantons. The Federal Councils’ current inventory comprises 18 million hygienic and 1.2 million FFP2 masks. These numbers will be continuously expanded.

“Until the end of April, the Armed Forces Pharmacy has distributed 35 million facemasks. Of these, 13 million went to the retail sector and 22 million to the cantons. 20 million masks are currently in stock. More masks are continuously coming in. Additionally, fabric masks are also available.”

Switzerland’s COVID-19 National Strategy: Physical Distancing, Facility and Business Closing:

“On February 28, the Federal Council classified the situation in Switzerland as a “special situation” in accordance with the Epidemics Act (which has been in force since 01.01.2016). Major private and public events involving more than 1000 people were banned immediately and the ban was planned to last at least until March 15. Cantons were responsible to enforce the ban.

“On March 6, the Federal Council released information and recommendations for the work environment, with a focus on vulnerable persons. They defined company-specific protective measures, which should be implemented with the participation of the employees. Besides recommendations for hygiene measures, employees should, if operationally possible, keep their distance from each other, for example by creating spatial adaptations, office splitting, telework/home office, etc. Absence from work should be considered for particularly vulnerable persons who are exposed to an increased risk of infection at the workplace if telework/home office or other temporary employment is impossible. To avoid overburdening of healthcare facilities, goodwill should apply when requesting a medical certificate. It should be requested from day 5 at the earliest (instead of the usual 3 day rule). In addition, employees should be advised to avoid travelling in public transport during rush hours as far as possible. Employers should organise the working hours of their employees as flexibly as possible so that rush hours can be avoided.

“On March 13, the Federal Council banned events with more than 100 people with immediate effect until the end of April. Cantons were allowed to grant exceptions if there was an overriding public interest and if protective measures were taken. The same applied for leisure facilities, such as museums, sports centres, swimming pools and ski resorts. Restaurants, bars and discos were only allowed to accommodate a maximum of 50 people. Until April 4, all attendance at schools, universities and training centres was prohibited. Cantons could provide childcare facilities for primary schools in order to prevent children from being looked after by their grandparents.”

“On March 16, the Federal Council declared the “extraordinary situation” in terms of the Epidemics Act. This allowed the Federal Council to order the introduction of uniform measures in all cantons. The cantons were given prior notice of the move. All shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment and leisure facilities will remain closed until April 19. Food stores, takeaway businesses, company canteens, food home delivery services and pharmacies will remain open, as will petrol stations, railway stations, banks, post offices, hotels, public administrations and social institutions. Hospitals, clinics and medical practices will remain open, but must forego non-urgent medical procedures and treatments. People at especially high risk should work from home. If that is not possible, they are to be placed on leave by their employers, but will continue to receive their pay.

“On March 20, the Federal Council decided to ban gatherings of more than five people, persons who do not comply with this may be fined. People in groups of fewer than five people, not living in the same household, must keep a distance of at least two metres from each other. The police may impose a fine for non-compliance. Employers in the construction sector and in industry were also required to comply with federal recommendations on hygiene and social distancing. Employers must limit the number of people present on construction sites or in other workplaces, and prevent groups of more than five people from gathering in break rooms and canteens. The cantons may close down individual companies or construction sites if they do not comply.”

Switzerland’s COVID-19 National Strategy: Testing

“The cantons determine the procedure for diagnostic investigation of patients with suspected COVID-19. Cantons can designate a hospital that the suspected cases must visit, or have the doctors take the smear test in the doctors’ office. Samples can be sent directly to the National Reference Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases (NAVI) or to another laboratory offering the initial diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.

“The FOPH [Federal Office for Public Health] states that about 6000 – 7000 tests are conducted each day (03.04.2020) but the cantonal breakdown is unknown. Maximum testing capacity is For example, the canton of Vaud states that about 2000 tests are carried out per day in the canton. No special test centres are available and suspected cases are treated in separate rooms in the emergency wards of hospitals and in specialised medical practices. The canton of Geneva has set up four test centres and a mobile team that can test patients at home in case of emergency. Mobile drive-through clinics have been implemented in several cantons.”

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Page last updated March 22, 2021 by Doug McVay, Editor.