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Swiss experts warn of ‘massive increase’ in illegal raves this winter

Swiss authorities have warned of a ‘massive increase’ in illegal raves and parties this winter, as clubs remain closed or restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Swiss experts warn of 'massive increase' in illegal raves this winter
A file photo of a rave in France. Image: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN / AFP

On Saturday evening, police were called in to break up an illegal rave with hundreds of attendees in Bern. 

Experts have warned that the problem is likely to accelerate during the winter, according to Swiss news site 20 Minutes. 

Alex Flach, spokesman for the club scene in German-speaking Switzerland, said that lockdown restrictions and knowledge of the danger of the virus would not quench people’s appetite to party. 

“One thing is clear, however: the people's need for partying and exuberance does not go away when the clubs are closed,” Flach told 20 Minutes. 

“In the summer it went relatively well, people went into nature and celebrated in the forest,” says Flach. In winter, this will no longer be possible, warns Flach. 

“Illegal parties in apartments or basements in the city will increase massively.”

The rules for nightclubs vary significantly in Switzerland. In some of the hardest hit cantons have put in place maximum numbers of attendees, while in Geneva nightclubs are closed until November at the earliest

‘In winter, the police will feel that the clubs are closed’

Nightlife advocates argued that restrictions on nightclubs should be lifted as they were better placed to ensure coronavirus measures were adhered to, such as contact tracing. 

“The clubs provide a framework in which to celebrate. Illegal parties, on the other hand, offer much more potential for conflict, for example with neighbours.” 

Flach fears that complaints about noise or waste will increase in winter. “The police will feel that the clubs are closed in winter”.

Max Reichen, President of the Bern Bar and Club Commission, said not only were clubs better placed for contact tracing than illegal parties, but they were also better placed than public transport or supermarkets – two other potential infection sites. 

“Let's assume that an illegal party with 200 people in takes place on a farm in the country. If someone who has contracted the virus dances there, it will be extremely difficult to locate all 200 participants and, if necessary, to quarantine them. “

“So it would make more sense for us if the clubs could offer a program within an appropriate framework and guarantee seamless contact tracing so that we can react quickly in the event of an infection.”

‘There have always been illegal raves in Bern – we will try and make them legal’

Bern’s cantonal security director Reto Nause said the clubs should be involved in an eventual solution. 

“There have always been illegal raves in the city of Bern. Participating in such events always carries a risk. We advise against it,” Nause said. 

“We lend a hand where we can. If the appropriate protection concepts are adhered to, we would try to make raves possible too.”

 

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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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