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HEALTH

What is Switzerland’s official three-phase plan to rollback coronavirus lockdown?

First hairdressers, then schools and finally bars - this is how Switzerland’s health minister Alain Berset is hoping to end the country’s coronavirus lockdown. However he will need approval of the Federal Council in a meeting on Thursday.

What is Switzerland’s official three-phase plan to rollback coronavirus lockdown?
Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Note: This article was written on April 15th according to a leaked memo from Switzerland's health ministry. An updated summary of the official measures undertaken by the government as announced on Thursday, April 16th, is available here

Switzerland’s Federal Council will meet on Thursday to discuss the country’s coronavirus lockdown exit plan. 

A three-phase return to normality

As the individual most responsible for determining how Switzerland should transition out of the coronavirus lockdown, Berset has told the Swiss public for weeks that infection rates would be the major factor in deciding which measures to relax and at what point they should be relaxed. 

According to the Tages Anzeiger, his exit strategy involves three phases to be undertaken in relaxing the country’s restrictions. 

The newspaper reports that the plan is likely to win favour among many, particularly those with close ties to the country's business sector. 

Phase one: April 27th

The first phase will take place on April 27th, with hairdressers, physiotherapy practices, hardware stores and nurseries set to reopen. Book shops and flower shops are also said to be on the list. 

Those doing so will be required to adhere to a set of protective measures similar to those in place currently in supermarkets in Switzerland. 

Coronavirus: How Swiss supermarkets are using sensors to ensure social distancing

Gyms and other fitness clubs are not included in this first round. 

As reported by The Local Switzerland on Wednesday, gyms were implementing a range of changes in order to be allowed to reopen on April 27th. 

Coronavirus: How Switzerland's gyms plan to reopen on April 27th

Le Temps reported on Wednesday that other retail stores may be included in this first wave, although this has as yet not been confirmed. 

Le Temps also reported that the April 27th reopenings may include a requirement that masks are worn in all newly opened stores, as well as potentially in workplaces and on public transport. 

Health Minister Alain Berset cleaning his hands. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Phase two: May 11th

The second phase, set to take place on May 11th, will involve the reopening of schools and universities. 

This is expected to be accompanied by similar rules on social distancing and may include requirements to wear masks and other protective equipment. 

Phase three: June 8th

The third – and as yet final – phase of the exit strategy includes the reopening of bars and restaurants. This would take place on June 8th and would likely include some form of social distancing requirement. 

Nightclubs would also be allowed to open, although this is also expected to be subject to certain restrictions. 

This phase does not include major events such as sports matches with large crowds or concerts and music festivals.

These events have been left out of the plan completely, with suggestions that it will not be until a vaccine can be found before these are fully opened up. 

 

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HEALTH

The essential Swiss websites you need to use for health matters

If you just moved to Switzerland (or even if you have lived here for a while), your learning curve about health-related matters in the country may be steep. These sites will help you find the information you need.

The essential Swiss websites you need to use for health matters

Staying healthy is probably one of your top priorities, but doing so in a foreign country is not easy.

That is why having some reliable resources that you can check out and follow will be helpful.

First: The Local

No, we are not doctors, but we have published a number of factual articles over the years about many aspects of healthcare in Switzerland that our readers find helpful.

You can find a compilation of these health-related stories here

Federal Office of Public Health 

Obviously, when it comes to matters of health, the Health Ministry has lots of information that will be relevant to you at one time or another.

Aside from matters of health policy (which is important for all residents of Switzerland), the site also has a regularly updated Infectious Diseases Dashboard to let you know what communicable illnesses are currently circulating in Switzerland — and how to avoid them.

It also provides age-specific health information and recommendations — for instance, for children and teenagers, as well as for the elderly.

Hospital websites

Individual hospitals in your area are good sources of information as well, and many of them are in English.

You can find there general health information, care and treatment options, online emergency room signup, new medical technologies being used, and other patient resources:

Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)

Vaud University Hospital (CHUV)

Zurich University Hospital

Basel University Hospital 

If you live in an area without a university medical centre, your local hospital is also a valuable source of health-related information.

Appointment booking platform

This website is especially useful for people who don’t yet have a doctor in Switzerland but need to set an appointment with one. 

It gives you an option of choosing a specialty and location, and then displays doctor’s names and addresses, background information about them, and which time slots they have available.

You can easily set up an appointment this way.

Your health insurer’s website

This may not be an intuitive choice for impartial information about healthcare but you may be surprised.

For instance, Sanitas insurance site has information about emergency care decisions, and how to void unnecessary medical treatments.

CSS has health information geared specifically to men and women.

Helsana talks about ways to combat stress and sleep problems.

These are just a few examples on what valuable tips you can find on your insurer’s website.

Websites devoted to specific medical conditions

If you seek information about a specific illness — such as treatment options in Switzerland — there are plenty of online resources for that as well.

For instance:

Heart and cardiovascular 

Diabetes 

Osteoporosis 

Mental illness 

General pain 

Other diseases 

Last but not least, while not related to health, these websites will also provide useful information for international residents:

The Swiss websites that can help you save money
 
The most useful website resources to help you get Swiss citizenship 
 
 

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