COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland
Additionally, the government gradually imposed restrictions on border crossings and announced economic support measures worth 40 billion Swiss francs.
[12] From 13 September 2021, access to indoor public spaces like restaurants, bars, museums or fitness centres is only permitted with a valid Covid certificate.
On 12 January, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, who had initially come to the attention of the WHO on 31 December 2019.
On 25 February 2020, Switzerland confirmed the first case of COVID-19, a 70-year-old man in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino bordering Italy, who had previously visited Milan tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
[30] On 11 March, a 54-year-old male died from COVID-19 in the Bruderholz Hospital in Basel-Landschaft, marking the fourth fatal case in Switzerland.
[26] On 28 February, the Federal Council banned events involving more than 1,000 people in an effort to curb the spread of the infection.
[40] On 13 March, the Federal Council decided to cancel classes in all educational establishments until 4 April 2020, and banned all events (public or private) involving more than 100 people.
[41][42][43] The canton of Vaud took more drastic measures, prohibiting all public and private gatherings with more than 50 people, and closing its educational establishments until 30 April.
[50] The government announced a 42 billion CHF rescue package for the economy, which included money to replace lost wages for employed and self-employed people, short-term loans to businesses, delay for payments to the government, and support for cultural and sport organisations.
[54] Surgeons, dentists, day care workers, hairdressers, massage and beauty salons could be opened with safety procedures applied.
The third step would begin on 8 June with the easing of restrictions on vocational schools, universities, museums, zoos and libraries.
[55] In October 2020, following a rapid increase in corona cases, the authorities imposed stricter public health measures.
[11] In January 2021, after a month of corona cases remaining at a high level, additional measures were passed that required the closure of all restaurants, sport and cultural venues as well as shops that do not sell products for daily use.
[56] From 13 September 2021, access to most indoor public spaces like restaurants, bars, museums or fitness centres was only permitted with a valid Covid certificate.
[58][60][61][62] In April, Swiss authorities first manifested public support for the project, and initiated a legislative process to draft a law allowing for a national digital contact tracing system.
[61] At the end of May, a law was approved,[63] after which a test version was made available for a restricted public,[64] and the source code was released.
[66] Use of the app is voluntary and based on a decentralized approach using Bluetooth Low Energy, and uses Google and Apple's Exposure Notification system,[66] which was significantly influenced by the DP3T team.
[75] The mRNA Covid vaccinations were given approval by Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic) in December 2020 and January 2021.
Priority for early vaccinations was given to persons aged 75 years or older, or with preexisting illnesses that are known to increase the risk of a severe Covid infection.
[12] In September 2021, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court ruled that the Canton of Bern had acted disproportionately by restricting the fundamental right to freedom of assembly.
