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HEALTH

Two further Swiss cantons make masks compulsory indoors

Schwyz and Schaffhausen have become the latest Swiss cantons to put in put in place compulsory mask requirements in indoor areas.

Two further Swiss cantons make masks compulsory indoors
A protective face mask reading in German: "Stay healthy! Yes Moderate immigration" in reference to the unsuccessful right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP)-backed initiative. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / A

The additional requirements will apply from Friday, October 16th in both cantons. 

Cantonal authorities announced on Tuesday announced that the two German-speaking cantons would become the 13th and 14th to extend mask requirements beyond the federal minimum. 

READ: Everything you need to know about Switzerland's compulsory mask requirement

Schwyz has the second-highest number of new coronavirus infections over the past 14 days on a per capita basis, after the heavily-hit canton of Geneva

In Schaffhausen, infections are also on the rise. The canton recorded the most coronavirus infections since the outbreak of the pandemic over the past week. 

Where do I need to wear a mask in the two cantons? 

Schaffhausen will require masks in shops, shopping centres and supermarkets from Friday until November 29th at the earliest.

Staff will not be required to wear masks, provided they are protected by a physical partition such as plexiglas. 

Cantonal authorities said further restrictions may be necessary in Schaffhausen if the situation continued to worsen, such as masks required in all publicly accessible indoor spaces as well as at events. 

UPDATE: Where in Switzerland are masks compulsory right now? 

In Schwyz, masks will be required at all public and private events with more than 50 people. 

While it applies to shops and supermarkets – along with bars, restaurants, clubs, cinemas, post offices and places of worship – it will only apply where minimum distance cannot be kept. 

In Schwyz, the number of coronavirus cases rose from 34 to 391 over the past 24 hours to Tuesday, October 13th. 

A total of 12 people are currently quarantined in the canton. 

Masks have been mandated on all public transport in Switzerland since July 6th, however all remaining restrictions have been left up to the cantons. 

 

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HEALTH INSURANCE

Could glasses and contact lenses soon be covered by Swiss health insurance?

The Swiss health system is ranked among the best in the world, but some essentials, like glasses, aren't automatically covered by health insurance. That could soon change, however

Could glasses and contact lenses soon be covered by Swiss health insurance?

Green Party Federal Councillor Katharina Prelicz-Huber revealed in an interview with newspaper 20 Minuten this week that the Federal Parliament had tabled a motion to include prescription glasses and contact lenses in Switzerland’s mandatory health insurance scheme. 

Prelicz-Huber stated: “The purpose of compulsory health insurance is to provide the services you need to get or stay healthy,”

The motion forms part of the legislation that will be voted on during the 2024 summer session of the Federal Council. 

Proposed changes 

According to Switzerland’s peak optician body, 4 in 5 Swiss wear glasses or contact lenses at some point. 

It’s no surprise that statistics repository, Statista, projects the Swiss eyewear industry to be worth €1.37 billion by 2028. 

Currently, glasses and contact lenses are covered for up to 180 francs for children until age eighteen, if they are proscribed by a doctor.

Adults can also claim money back for glasses and contact lenses – however, they must be suffering from one of a short list of specific conditions such as keratoconus – where the cornea is distorted – or severe myopia, otherwise known as near-sightedness.

They must also have been specifically prescribed them by a doctor or optometrist. 

Otherwise, supplemental optical insurance must be purchased in Switzerland to ensure you can recoup the cost. 

Under the Green Party proposal, glasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids would be covered, regardless of age. 

Rising premiums prompt opposition 

Not everybody agrees with the proposal. 

The right-wing SVP has already spoken out against it, with Federal Councillor Diana Gutjahr arguing: “If we seriously want to slow down the burdensome and constantly rising health costs for the benefit of the population, we [must] show the political will not to constantly expand the benefits of compulsory health insurance.”

A spokesman for the the health insurance advocacy group Santesuisse, Matthias Müller, echoed Gutjahr, claiming that insurance constitutes “financing for extraordinary events such as illness.”

“If almost everyone benefits from a certain service, it is no longer an insurance benefit.”

A date for the vote has yet to be announced. 

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