Ticino cantonal authorities on Wednesday applied to the Federal Council for an exemption to the first round of lockdown relaxations, which are set to take place from April 27th across the country. 

The application was approved late on Wednesday afternoon. 

In Ticino, hardware stores and garden centres are set to open on May 3rd at the earliest. Construction sites in Ticino will also remain closed until at least that date, although minor work with a maximum of 15 people – up from ten currently – will be allowed. 

Ending Switzerland's coronavirus lockdown: The key questions

Companies with more than ten employees will need apply to cantonal authorities to be allowed to work. 

Ticino has also extended the state of emergency until the end of May. 

Rest of the country set to begin opening on April 27th

On April 27th, retail and cosmetic shops will be allowed to open again.

This includes hairdressers, tattoo parlours, massage salons, cosmetic and makeup salons, hardware stores, garden centres and flower shops. 

Restrictions on hospitals and medical centres performing non-essential procedures will also be lifted, with doctors, dentists and physiotherapists again allowed to carry out general work which had been restricted by the coronavirus. 

These activities had been heavily restricted in order to lower the risk of coronavirus infection should people visit hospitals and medical care facilities.