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HEALTH

Everything you need to know about Geneva’s coronavirus shutdown

What is closing - and what is staying open? Here's what you need to know.

Everything you need to know about Geneva’s coronavirus shutdown
Geneva's coronavirus situation has continued to worsen. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

What are the national measures?

Last week the Swiss government announced new Covid-19 restrictions that were implemented on October 29th.

These measures apply all across Switzerland. Cantons cannot 'opt out' of implementing them. 

While a lockdown is not part of the new measures, masks must now be worn outdoors in all urban areas where “the concentration of people does not allow the necessary distances to be respected”.

There is also an 11pm curfew for bars and restaurants, the closure of nightclubs and discos, as well as the limit of 10 people for private gatherings and 50 for public events.

These measures are ground rules, and each individual canton can implement further restrictions. In other words, while cantons can’t revoke any of the federal measures, they can add their own, more restrictive ones.

What has been introduced in Geneva?

On Sunday, October 31st, Geneva authorities announced a ‘semi-confinement’, to begin on November 2nd, which goes beyond Swiss national measures.

The measures have been put in place until November 29th, although they may be extended. 

They include closing all bars, restaurants and non-essential shops in a bid to rein in skyrocketing coronavirus cases.

Warning that Geneva is experiencing a “severe aggravation of the situation”, cantonal authorities also shut down leisure establishments like cinemas, museums, ice rinks, libraries and pools.

Restaurants can sell takeaway food – and are allowed to offer delivery services. 

Non-essential shops will be allowed to operate online via a 'click and connect' system which allows goods to be picked up. 

People are encouraged to leave their homes only if strictly necessary, though there are no legal bans on moving about.

What can stay open?

Unlike the lockdown in the spring, schools up until secondary level and kindergartens will remain open.

Schools secondary level and above – along with universities – will need to move to distance learning. 

Markets, flower shops, libraries, pharmacies, supermarkets, optometrists, banks, mechanics and post offices can remain open. 

READ MORE: Geneva goes beyond national corona rules, shutting bars and restaurants 

What about the borders? 

Unlike in the spring, Geneva will keep its borders with France open. 

There will also be no restrictions on internal borders with Vaud. 

Can I visit my grandpa in hospital? My grandmother in a retirement home?

Visits to retirement homes and hospitals have not been banned under the rules. 

Can I go to church? 

While church services like mass have been largely banned, visiting church will not be restricted. 

Weddings can have up to five people and funerals can have up to 50. 

How many people can I meet with? 

Groups are capped at five people both indoors and outdoors. 

What about sport though?

Unless you're a professional sportsperson or a child, you will not be allowed to play. 

Only professional sport may continue, along with sports for people 12 and under. 

What about the referendum on November 29th?

At this stage, you will still be allowed to vote in Switzerland's November referenda. 

 

 

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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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