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HEALTH

What you are allowed to do in Switzerland again as of June 6th

On June 6th, most of the Swiss government's coronavirus lockdown restrictions will be loosened. Here's what you are allowed to do again from today.

What you are allowed to do in Switzerland again as of June 6th
Nothing says 'the end of lockdown' like a Swiss flag waving in the wind. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

On Wednesday, May 27th, Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset announced which of the current coronavirus lockdown measures would be relaxed and when they would be relaxed. 

Swiss president Simonetta Sommaruga told the media “Switzerland is reborn”, saying “we now know it is possible to control the virus”. 

“The number of new cases of infection has remained stable at a low level for a number of weeks now, as has the number of hospital admissions and deaths,” she said. 

Berset also announced that the state of emergency, first declared on March 16th, will officially end on June 19th. 

Swiss president Simonetta Sommaruga. Image: AFP

You can go to restaurants and bars in bigger groups

Previously, groups at restaurants in Switzerland could not exceed four, and there was a voluntary requirement that all customers provide their data so that they can be tracked and contacted in the event of an outbreak. 

As of June 6th, the maximum of guests per table will be scrapped – but larger groups will be required to register, with the information of each attendee to be kept. 

A distance of two metres between groups remains mandatory. 

You (or your kids) can go on summer camp

Summer camps will again be allowed from June 6th, provided they don’t exceed the maximum of 300 children.

Complete lists of those in attendance must be kept.  

READ: How effective have Switzerland's coronavirus lockdown measures been?

Camping at regular camping sites – whether in a tent or in a camper van – is again allowed. 

You (and your kids) can go to school or vocational training again

Middle schools, vocational schools and universities will again be allowed from June 6th. 

You can train and play sports again

Training for all sports will again be allowed from June 6th, regardless of group size. 

All sports – except those with a high level of contact – will be allowed to train again. 

The one requirement is that a list of those in attendance must be kept. 

You can hit da club again – but be sure to keep your distance

Party people will be pleased, as they can now visit discos and nightclubs again.

Although the risk of transmitting the coronavirus would appear high in nightclubs, the Swiss government requires establishments to adhere to a range of distancing and hygiene rules. 

This is set to include a maximum of 300 people at each establishment, while patrons will also be expected to keep two metres apart at all times. 

Nightclubs – along with all bars and pubs – will also have to close at midnight. 

However, as reported by Swiss media outlet Watson, clubs will again be allowed to open at 6am – enabling after hours parties. 

You can go to zoos, campsites, casinos, amusement parks and swimming pools again

Campsites, swimming pools and leisure facilities such as rope and climbing parks can reopen on June 6th. 

Amusement parks, casinos, zoos, botanical gardens and wellness facilities are also allowed to open from June 6th. 

You can visit brothels again

From June 6th, brothels and sex work is again allowed to take place. 

Brothels have listed sex positions which are approved – and which should be avoided. 

Swiss media outlet 20 Minutes also said that patrons of adult services have been advised that 'face-related services' should be avoided as much as possible. 

READ: Swiss brothels outline list of coronavirus-safe sex positions in a bid to end lockdown

Grandparents can babysit their children again

Seniors have been encouraged to again resume their social life, while grandparents may also babysit their grandchildren once more

You can meet in groups, attend sporting events and demonstrations again (actually you could do this from May 30th)

Groups of up to 30 people will again be allowed to meet in public places from May 30th, increasing from the current limit of five. 

The maximum number will be higher for events. From June 6th, groups of up to 300 people to be allowed for protests, trade fairs, private events and ceremonies, theatre performances and film screenings.

People at these events will however be required to keep a distance of two metres at all times. 

Demonstrators will need to apply for a permit and will need to explain how they plan to minimise the spread of the virus. 

You can go to sporting events again (well, from June 8th onwards)

Switzerland’s top-flight football competition – the Swiss Super League – will be allowed to resume from June 8th. 

Groups of up to 1,000 people will be allowed at sporting events from July, however venues will need to provide indications as to how they will ensure that social distancing requirements are met. 

What else can you do soon? Cross the border from June 15th

Complete freedom of movement will be restored in and out of Switzerland by July 6th at the latest. 

Some border controls will be relaxed earlier however, with border controls to Germany, Austria and France lifted by June 15th. 

From June 8th, applications from EU/EFTA workers will again be processed. Swiss companies will also be allowed to hire workers from non-EU/EFTA countries provided they are in a highly-skilled category, and this is either in the public interest or there is an urgent need. 

One further issue to be discussed is the fate of Switzerland’s southern border. 

Italy unilaterally announced on May 17th that it would be opening its borders on the June 3rd – much to the surprise of Swiss authorities. 

Swiss authorities caught by surprise by the re-opening of Italy's borders 

Switzerland said today that the border with Italy will not be opened on June 3rd. 

Karin Keller-Sutter said during the press conference that she respected Italy's decision – but the border opening would not be reciprocated. 

“Of course we are also in contact with Italy. It had announced that it would reopen its borders to tourists on June 3. We respect this sovereign decision.”

However, Switzerland and other neighbouring countries in Italy want the reopening to take place in a coordinated manner. We will not open our borders with Italy on June 3rd.”

Therefore, if Italy does open the border earlier, it would be possible for Swiss residents and citizens to cross into and back out of Italy from June 3rd. Italian residents would however not be able to cross into Switzerland. 

What will happen at Switzerland's southern border? Image: AFP

When will the next round of lockdown relaxations be made? 

On June 24th, the Federal Council will announce further relaxations – including whether larger events are to be allowed. Currently, events with more than 1,000 people are banned until August 31, 2020. 

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HEALTH

How can a foreign resident apply for Swiss disability insurance?

This particular benefit is part of the compulsory social insurance scheme for all persons living in Switzerland — including foreign citizens.

How can a foreign resident apply for Swiss disability insurance?

Disability insurance (DI), also known in Switzerland as ‘invalidity’ insurance, may sound as though you have to be physically handicapped in order to be eligible to receive this benefit.

But that is not so.

It is intended to replace lost income if you can’t work for long periods of time due to health problems — whatever the type of your ailment.

According to a government brochure on this subject, “the law defines invalidity as a total or partial incapacity to work or inability to perform previous tasks. The reason for the invalidity must be an impairment of physical, mental or psychological health that cannot be overcome with medical treatment and reintegration measures. Possible causes of the health impairment are a congenital infirmity, an illness, an occupational disease or an accident.” 

Are foreigners eligible for this insurance?

Everyone working Switzerland, regardless of the nationality, is insured for DI when they pay their compulsory social security contributions.

Note, however, that you will be entitled to draw full amounts (read more about this below) only if you contribute into the social security scheme from the time you turn 21 without any gaps.

You will receive these payouts for as long as you remain in Switzerland

However, if you move away, there will be some differences  based on whether you come from the EU / EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or a third country.

Nationals of  EU / EFTA have the same DI rights as Swiss citizens — they will continue to receive the benefits even if they move back.

But if you come from elsewhere, benefits may be limited once you return to your country of origin, if that country doesn’t have a social security agreement with Switzerland.

How can you apply for these benefits?

In order to receive the DI, you will first need to complete an application form for IV/AI benefits (form available in German, French and Italian).

You will have to provide various documents, including medical certificates and other relevant paperwork detailed in the form that will allow authorities to determine whether you are eligible to receive disability  in the first place and, if so, how much (see below).

It is in your interest to register as soon as possible.

If you wait too long, your benefits may be reduced.

How much can you expect to receive?

These payments are intended to cover your essential needs, so don’t expect huge amounts.

The benefits are determined by two factors: your average salary before you become disabled, as well as the degree of your disability, which will be determined by health professionals designated by your social security office.

Logically, the more (and longer) you earned and contributed into the system, the more you will receive.

Generally speaking, the lowest possible full DI pension is currently 1,225 Swiss francs per month.

The highest is 2,450 francs per month — if  you earned 86,040 francs or more per year and you have paid uninterrupted contributions from age 21.

What if these amounts are not enough for you to live on?

In this case you could receive supplemental benefits at a level considered adequate to maintain a reasonable standard of living.

Whether or not you are eligible for these benefits depends on your combined income and your personal wealth. You can only receive supplemental benefits as long as you live in Switzerland, though — unlike the basic DI, they are not transferable abroad.

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