Covid-19: This applies nationwide as of Thursday

The number of cases and hospitalizations is increasing dramatically. The spread of covid-19 infections must be contained and the overload of intensive care units and healthcare personnel in hospitals prevented. Therefore, the Federal Council has taken various measures to reduce the number of contacts among people. 

Prohibition of events with more than 50 people

Events with more than 50 people are no longer allowed. This applies to all sporting, cultural and other events, with the exception of parliamentary and municipal meetings. Political demonstrations and signature collections for referendums and initiatives are still possible - as before, with the necessary safeguards. Because many contagions occur in private, the number of people allowed to attend private events with family and friends will be limited to 10.

Dance halls closed

The operation of discotheques and dance halls is prohibited. These pose an increased risk of spreading the virus. In restaurants and bars, no more than four people may sit at a table, except for families with children. There is a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. 

No sports and cultural recreational activities with more than 15 persons

Sports and cultural recreational activities are permitted indoors with up to 15 people if both sufficient distance can be maintained and masks are worn. Masks can be dispensed with if generous room conditions prevail, for example in tennis halls or large halls. Outdoors, only the distance must be maintained. Contact sports are prohibited. Children under the age of 16 are exempt from the rules.

In the professional area of sports and culture, training and competitions as well as rehearsals and performances are permitted. Since singing emits a particularly large number of droplets, events by amateur choirs are prohibited, while rehearsals are permitted for professional choirs.

Prohibition of face-to-face teaching at universities

Institutions of higher education must switch to distance learning as of Monday, November 2. Face-to-face teaching will remain permitted in compulsory schools and upper secondary schools (grammar schools and vocational training). 

Mask obligation is further extended

Since October 19, masks have been compulsory for all persons in indoor areas accessible to the public as well as in waiting areas of public transport and at railroad stations and airports. A mask must now also be worn in outdoor areas of establishments and businesses, such as stores, event venues, restaurants and bars, or weekly and Christmas markets. A mask requirement also applies in busy pedestrian areas and wherever the required distance cannot be maintained in public spaces.

Masks are now also compulsory in schools from secondary level II onwards. Masks are also compulsory at the workplace, unless the distance between workplaces can be maintained (e.g. individual offices). As far as possible, employers should allow home offices and ensure the protection of employees at workplaces.

Children up to 12 years of age, persons who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons and guests in restaurants and bars when seated at a table are exempt from the mask requirement.

Introduction of rapid tests

To detect Covid-19 infection, rapid antigen tests can be used in addition to the tests already in use (PCR tests) starting November 2, 2020. This will allow for broader and faster testing of the population. More positive cases in the population can be rapidly detected and isolated.

The accuracy of the rapid tests was evaluated by the "Centre national de Référence pour Infections Virales Emergentes" (CRIVE) in Geneva. The rapid tests are less sensitive compared to the PCR tests. They are mainly applicable when a person is infectious. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) therefore envisages the use of these rapid tests only in those persons who are considered symptomatic according to the criteria of the FOPH and who do not belong to the group of persons at particular risk. In addition, the onset of symptoms should be less than four days ago. The use of these rapid tests is also possible in asymptomatic persons who have received a notification from the Swiss Covid App. If they test positive, they should have a second test performed by PCR to confirm this. All persons who have tested positive by means of a rapid test should nevertheless immediately go into isolation.

The rapid tests are reimbursed by the federal government - but only for those persons to whom the recommendations of the FOPH apply.

Federal Council defines new threshold for travel quarantine

The Federal Council also adjusted the threshold for the inclusion of states and territories on the quarantine list as well as the exemption from the quarantine obligation for business travelers. The amendment will enter into force on 29.10.2020.

Since the incidence in Switzerland is now above average compared to the European environment, the threshold is raised. With the adjustment of the regulation, only countries and regions whose incidence is more than 60 higher than the incidence in Switzerland will be placed on the quarantine list.

The exemption provisions for business travelers and for persons traveling for medical reasons are also adjusted. The rule that such trips may last no more than five days is abolished.

Source: Confederation

Until when do these measures apply?

An end date has not been set. However, the Federal Council evaluates the measures regularly. Relaxations are conceivable if there is a clear reversal of the epidemic trend with a clear decrease in the number of new daily infections, hospitalizations and occupancy of intensive care units, according to the Federal Council.