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Swiss COVID-19 National Policy
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.”
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 July 26, 2020.
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.”
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 May 21, 2020.
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.”
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 May 7, 2020.
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.”
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 April 20, 2020.
“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.”
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 April 20, 2020.
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.”
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 April 20, 2020.
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Page last updated Oct. 6, 2020 by Doug McVay, Senior Policy Analyst.