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TODAY IN SWITZERLAND

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday

Find out what's going on today in Switzerland with The Local's short roundup of the news.

Published: 14 July 2021 08:06 CEST
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday
SWISS adapts gender-neutral greeting. Photo by Swiss.com

Swiss health officials fear an increase in hospitalisations

The rate of coronavirus-related hospitalisations is relatively low right now.

However, the Covid-19 Task Force issued an alert about a probable increase in hospitalisations linked to the fast-spreading and highly contagious Delta variant, which now accounts for nearly 80 percent of cases in Switzerland.

The Task Force based its forecast on the experience of the United Kingdom, where the Delta variant has been predominant for some time.

Since vaccination coverage is lower in Switzerland that in the UK (42 percent versus 52 percent), hospital admissions here are expected to increase sharply in the coming weeks

READ MORE: Delta variant responsible for nearly 80 percent of new cases in Switzerland

About 67 percent of Geneva residents have Covid immunity

Some 67 percent of the Geneva population has developed antibodies against coronavirus, according to a study conducted by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) and the University of Geneva (UNIGE).

In half of the cases, this immunity is due to infection and in the other half to vaccination.

In December, only 22 percent of Geneva had Covid immunity, so this increase is a positive development.

Among people 75 years and older, immunity reaches 95 percent, but it is lower in younger age groups.  

For the study’s authors, however, the immunity level remains too low.

Zurich Airport struggles to deal with fake Covid certificates

The number of forged health passes at the Zurich Airport is growing, as more and more people travelling abroad is increasing steadily.

The airport lacks the resources to check the authenticity of all the certificates, but said that obtaining a falsified document is becoming increasingly easy online, even though the Federal Office of Informatics and Telecommunications claims the document is tamper-proof and no signs of a hacker attack have been spotted.

UPDATED: How to get Switzerland’s Covid-19 health pass

SWISS introduces gender-sensitive greetings

Following the lead of its mother company, Lufthansa, the national flagship carrier is also phasing out its old “Ladies and gentlemen” greeting and using gender-neutral “Dear guests” instead”.

The decision resulted from a wide-ranging discussions  focusing on “valuing all passengers.”

“The crews are required to choose a form of address that appeals to all passengers”, the airline said.

EXPLAINED: Why is Switzerland neutral?

Also, SWISS is the first airline flying out of Switzerland with sustainable aviation fuel, which company CEO Dieter Vranckx called “a milestone for Swiss aviation”.

If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

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TODAY IN SWITZERLAND

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Foreigners worried about a letter revoking their residency rights; Swiss salaries are higher but don't go far; and more news in our roundup on Friday.

Published: 26 April 2024 09:06 CEST
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

‘You must leave Switzerland’: government warns against a fake immigration letter

A number of foreign nationals, especially in the German-speaking part of the country, have received an official-looking letter, purportedly from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) informing them that the Free Movement of People agreement between Switzerland and the EU has been lifted, and therefore “your residence permit has been revoked.”

Faced with enquiries from concerned recipients, SEM responded that the letters are fake, advising recipients to ignore it and, above all, not to click on the QR code on the top.

Swiss consumers have more money, but less purchasing power

In 2023, nominal wages in Switzerland  had increased more than in the previous four years. However, inflation has eroded purchasing power.

This is a finding of the Swiss Wage Index study published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on Thursday.

In general, the increase in nominal wages in 2023 was slightly less strong than the evolution of inflation last year.

The increase in prices, linked in particular to the higher electricity and fuel costs, as well as the more expensive rents, resulted in inflation rate of 2.1 percent at the end of 2023.
 
Therefore, the purchasing power of wages had decreased by 0.4 percent on average.

Migros will sell hamburgers made from beer waste

Swiss brewery Chopfab has teamed up with a start-up company to produce vegan burgers. They will be made from beer by-products.

The basic idea is simple: brewing beer generates waste called “dregs.” Rather than being thrown away, they will find a second life in meatless burgers.

“This process would be unique in the world and would guarantee the impeccable freshness, as well as texture and aroma of meat alternatives,” the manufacturer said.

The date when the beer burger will hit supermarket shelves is not known.

 Ahead this weekend :

Direct democracy in action

On Sunday, the Landsgemeinde, one of Switzerland’s oldest traditions of grass-root democracy will take place in Appenzell-Innerrhoden, one of only two cantons where this custom is still practiced (the other one is Glarus, where this event will be held on May 5th.)

Canton’s citizens will gather at noon in Appenzell city’s town square, and will vote on matters of local importance by show of hands.
 
READ ALSO: What is Switzerland’s Landsgemeinde (open-air assembly)?
 
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

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