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HEALTH

BREAKING: Masks to be compulsory in Swiss public transport from Monday

Switzerland’s Federal Council will implement a mask requirement on all public transport from Monday, July 6th.

BREAKING: Masks to be compulsory in Swiss public transport from Monday
A man wearing a face mask uses a pedestrian crossing in front of Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Geneva on March 20, 2020. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

In a press conference on Wednesday, the Swiss government announced the surprising turn – more than two months after masks were made compulsory on public transport in all of Switzerland’s neighbours. 

As yet, masks will not be compulsory in shops or supermarkets in Switzerland. 

In June, Switzerland put in place its first mask requirement which applies to protests. 

READ: Why did it take Switzerland so long to make masks compulsory?

'To avoid a second wave'

Switzerland has for months been reluctant to make masks compulsory, despite this being the case in Germany, Italy, France and Austria for months. 

Health Minister Alain Berset said during a press conference on Wednesday that the new requirement was needed, particularly with the continued increase in infection numbers across the country. 

“With the increasing numbers, we have observed a new trend: We find that the numbers are increasing slightly again. At the same time, the emergency is over and the cantons and the Confederation share responsibility for this development,” he said. 

“We found that our neighbouring countries have stricter rules than we do,” says Berset. “Because of the increasing number of cases, we have decided to introduce the national mask requirement to prevent a second wave in Switzerland.

“So far, we have weathered the situation well with the entire population. It is therefore very important that the distance and hygiene rules continue to be observed and that the contact details are given

“We stand together to continue fighting the epidemic.”

Why no immediate mask requirement? 

Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga explained the five-day waiting period until the requirement came into place, saying it was necessary to give transit companies time to adapt. 

The transport companies need a minimal amount of time. It will take you a few days to implement this. Fines or sanctions are not distributed, but it is a duty to abide by the mask requirement.”

What modes of transport will it apply to?

The mask requirement will apply in all trains, trams, buses and on cable cars. Transport on ships and ferries will also be included. 

The mask requirement will not apply on ski lifts/chair lifts. 

Was a mistake made in waiting so long?

Asked at the press conference if the Swiss government erred in waiting to put the mask requirement in place, Berset said it was only necessary now as more and more people came back to using public transport. 

“When everything was closed, it made no sense to impose a mask,” he said.

“We never said that masks don't protect. Now that more people are on the road again, it makes sense to wear a mask where the distances cannot be maintained.

Why not in shops, clubs or elsewhere? 

Berset said it was the responsibility of the cantons to put in place mask requirements in nightclubs, while in shops masks would remain recommended rather than required. 

“With the clubs, responsibility now lies with the cantons. A mask requirement in the club is one possibility. Closing clubs is also a measure that the cantons can now take.”

“You can keep your distance in the fresh air, there is no need for a mask. Masks must be worn at demonstrations.”

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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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