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Vaud joins other Swiss cantons in implementing stricter Covid-19 measures

After Geneva, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, and Jura, the canton of Vaud has mandated new restrictions on Tuesday to curb the spread of the coronavirus on its territory.

Published: 4 November 2020 10:07 CET
Vaud joins other Swiss cantons in implementing stricter Covid-19 measures
Vaud's restrictions are less stringent than other cantons'. Photo by AFP

Cantonal authorities ordered the new measures “in view of the acceleration of infections and their burden on the healthcare system.” 

Just like in the other French-speaking cantons, new rules include the closure of bars, restaurants, museums, cinemas, theaters, fitness centres, and sports facilities from Wednesday 5 pm until November 30th. 

Public and private meetings are permitted for up to five people. Schools will remain open.

Vaud’s restrictions go beyond those implemented on the national level on October 29th, but they are not as strict as the ones in force in Geneva.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Geneva’s coronavirus shutdown 

In that canton, only ‘essential businesses’ like grocery stores and pharmacies are open, while Vaud is allowing all shops, as well as wellness and personal care services such as hairdressers to continue to operate.

Vaud’s measures are more aligned with those implemented in Neuchâtel, Fribourg and Jura.

Vaud’s Economy Minister Philippe Leuba explained that non-essential businesses are kept open, as it is important  to find “a balance” between health and economic needs. 

He added that health authorities had not detected any coronavirus outbreaks in these sectors, “because rules are well followed.” 

 

 

 

 

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COVID-19

What does the increase in the number of Covid cases in Switzerland mean?

Coronavirus infections are on the rise again, with Swiss health officials and epidemiologists expressing concern over the possible evolution of the disease.

Published: 15 November 2023 15:32 CET
What does the increase in the number of Covid cases in Switzerland mean?

While the worst of the Covid pandemic is long over, and experts don’t expect it to re-emerge with the same strength and health consequences as it had in 2020, new cases have been reported in the past weeks.

Wastewater analysis, one of the means employed by health officials to measure the presence of coronavirus, indicates a viral load that is at least five times higher than usual, with values “now almost as high as in some previous Omicron-related waves,” Christoph Ort, spokesperson for Eawag Institute, which traces Covid viruses in 14 wastewater treatment plants in Switzerland, told the media.

What does this mean?

According to Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the most common sub-variant in Switzerland right now is the highly transmissible XBB, also known as ‘Kraken.’

The Eris and Pirola variants, which circulated in the summer and early fall are also still present.

While none is nearly as dangerous (at least for most people) as the early Alpha and Delta viruses, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the early stages of the pandemic, there is a reason for concern nevertheless.

“It’s a start of a small wave,” said Rudolf Hauri, head of the Cantonal Doctors’ Association.

“More people are being admitted to hospitals again with, or because of, coronavirus. There are also new cases in intensive care units, but these are generally people with a medical history.”

Should you be worried?
 
While the number of people with serious Covid-related complications is not expected to be as high as previously, the rise in the number of infections should not be trivialised either, infectious disease specialists say.
 
This is especially important for people in the high-risk category — those over 65 or suffering from chronic illnesses — who can get quite sick if infected with the new variants, according to FOPH.
 
This is all the more important as the flu season is about to begin in Switzerland as well, and the confluence of both illnesses, plus other respiratory viruses that typically circulate during the winter, can be very risky.
 
What can you do to protect yourself?
 
Other than adopting the same protective measures as those during the pandemic — that is, washing hands, avoiding close contacts and crowded spaces, and wearing masks where needed — health officials also recommend top-up shots, for both Covid and flu.

READ ALSO: Who should get top-up Covid and flu jabs in Switzerland?

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