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HEALTH

Switzerland rejects further coronavirus lockdown despite ‘worrying’ situation

The Swiss government said no additional coronavirus measures are necessary despite the “worrying” situation that has been caused by the pandemic.

Published: 31 December 2020 11:51 CET
Switzerland rejects further coronavirus lockdown despite 'worrying' situation
Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Despite closing hospitality venues such as restaurants and bars for at least a month from December 18th, infection rates and hospitalisation numbers remain high across the country. 

In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, the federal government said the situation was “worrying”, while also highlighting “the appearance of two coronavirus variants in Switzerland”. 

UPDATE: What are Switzerland's current coronavirus shutdown measures? 

Despite this however, “after a detailed analysis of the epidemiological situation, (the federal council) came to the conclusion that the criteria set for further tightening were not met.”

The coronavirus r-rate – the crucial metric which determines how the virus is spreading throughout the community – is currently below 1, although this may be representative of fewer tests taking place across the festive period and could rise due to Christmas gatherings. 

In the coming year, the federal council said it was imperative to increase the number of tests, along with improving the country’s coronavirus contact tracing infrastructure. 

 

 

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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

Published: 16 May 2024 15:06 CEST
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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