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HEALTH

UPDATED: What are the coronavirus measures in every Swiss canton?

Several Swiss cantons have gone beyond the federal minimum by putting in place their own measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

UPDATED: What are the coronavirus measures in every Swiss canton?
Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Note: These measures are up to date as at 25th November, 2020. 

While some have largely stuck to the federal framework, others – particularly those in the hard-hit west and south of the country – have put in place stronger measures. 

Here are the measures in place in each of Switzerland’s 26 cantons. These measures are in addition to those which apply at the federal level. 

While cantons are free to adopt any measures they see fit in the battle against the virus, they are also required to abide by those put in place at a federal level. 

READ: Switzerland's new coronavirus measures explained 

Have we missed anything? Is there anything you’d like to mention about the measures in your canton? Please get in touch at [email protected] to let us know. 

Which states have not put in place any measures? 

Several cantons have been happy to stick with the minimums adopted at the federal level. 

Despite cases skyrocketing in recent weeks, Appenzeller Innerrhoden has elected not to go beyond the federal minimum. Glarus, Schaffhausen and Thurgau have also elected to stick with the federal minimum.  

Aargau

There is a limit of 50 people in bars and clubs and all such venues need to present a hygiene plan in order to reach this amount. 

Adults are required to wear masks in elementary and secondary schools. 

Appenzeller Ausserrhoden 

The canton has gone beyond the federal mask requirement, calling for masks to be worn in all outdoor areas which are publicly accessible – including markets and other businesses. 

Employees are also required to wear masks indoors. 

Switzerland's new outdoor mask requirement: Everything you need to know 

At the federal level, masks must be worn outdoors when the mandatory distance of 1.5 metres cannot be kept. 

Basel City

Basel City from Monday, November 23rd put in place stricter new lockdown measures.

Restaurants, cafes and bars will be required to close under the new rules, but work and school canteens along with hotel restaurants for guests and street kitchens will be allowed to remain open. 

READ: Switzerland's test positivity rate 'among the worst in Europe' 

Restaurants and cafes will be allowed to serve takeaway food, although there will be a curfew on takeaway services from 11pm to 5am. 

Casinos and other gaming rooms will be forced to close. 

Strip clubs and brothels will also be required to close. 

Gyms, fitness centres, indoor swimming pools, dance studios, ice rinks and wellness centres will also be forced to close. 

Non-professional sports clubs will no longer be allowed to train. 

Events are to be restricted to 15 people. 

Beauty service providers such as hairdressers and massage providers will be allowed to remain open.

Basel Country

Only a maximum of 15 people can attend events, both public and private. 

Bars and restaurants are closed, with only takeaway available. Bars and restaurants must be closed completely between 11pm and 5am. 

Gyms, indoor swimming pools, dance studios, fitness and wellness centres, ice sports facilities and interiors of other sports facilities and sports stadiums are closed. 

Casinos, erotic shops, leisure and entertainment facilities are closed. 

Adults are required to wear masks in elementary and secondary schools, other than in classrooms. 

Students in secondary schools must wear masks, other than in classrooms. 

Bern

Only a maximum of 15 people can attend events. 

There is a limit of 100 people in bars and clubs and all such venues need to present a hygiene plan in order to reach this amount. Restaurants may however operate several different rooms with a max of 100 in each. 

Students in secondary schools must wear masks, other than in classrooms. 

Museums, gyms, fitness centres and cinemas must be closed. 

On November 19th, Bern extended its coronavirus measures until December 7th.

Fribourg

Private and public gatherings cannot have more than ten people. 

Restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas, museums, gyms and fitness centres and swimming pools are closed until the end of November. 

Geneva

Private and public gatherings cannot have more than five people. 

Restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas, museums, gyms and fitness centres and swimming pools are closed until the end of November. 

Non-essential shops are also closed. 

Schools up to secondary level may remain open. 

Measures are to remain in place until November 29th, at the earliest. 

READ MORE

Why does Geneva have the 'highest number of coronavirus infections in Europe'? 

Everything you need to know about Geneva's coronavirus shutdown 

Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Graubünden

Masks are required for pupils in secondary school. 

Jura

One of Switzerland’s heaviest-hit cantons, Jura is currently under a state of emergency. 

Private and public gatherings cannot have more than five people. 

Restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas, museums, gyms and fitness centres and swimming pools are closed until the end of November. 

Masks are required for pupils in secondary school and for people in offices. 

Lucerne 

There is a limit of 100 people in bars and clubs and all such venues need to present a hygiene plan in order to reach this amount.

Masks are required in secondary school and in markets. 

Sex shops are closed. 

People in retirement homes and in hospitals may have a maximum of two visitors per day. 

Masks are required in cars and in offices, provided the car or office contains two or more people who do not live in the same house. 

Neuchâtel

Private and public gatherings cannot have more than five people. 

Restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas, museums, gyms and fitness centres and swimming pools are closed until the end of November. 

Masks are required in secondary school and in offices. 

Nidwalden

Masks are required for teachers in secondary schools. 

Public events are limited to 30 people. 

Sex shops and brothels must remain closed. 

Obwalden

Public events are limited to 30 people. 

Schwyz

Public events are limited to 30 people. 

Masks must be worn in offices. 

Masks are required for pupils in secondary school. 

Solothurn

Public events are limited to 30 people, while private events cannot have more than five people.

Bars and restaurants cannot have more than 30 people and must be closed from 11pm to 6am.

One visitor per day in hospitals and retirement homes.

Sex shops and brothels must remain closed, along with shisha bars. 

St Gallen

Masks are required for pupils in secondary school. 

Visits to hospitals and nursing homes are banned other than for parents of hospitalised children and for close relatives at birth. 

Ticino

Private and public gatherings cannot have more than five people. 

Masks are required for pupils in secondary school. 

Group sport cannot take place. 

Uri

Public events are limited to 30 people. 

Vaud

Private and public gatherings cannot have more than five people. 

Restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas, museums, gyms and fitness centres and swimming pools are closed until the end of November. 

Valais

Private and public gatherings cannot have more than ten people. 

Restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas, museums, gyms and fitness centres and swimming pools are closed until the end of November. 

Masks are required for pupils in secondary school. 

UPDATE: Valais becomes latest Swiss canton to tighten coronavirus restrictions 

Zug

There is a limit of 100 people in bars and clubs and all such venues need to present a hygiene plan in order to reach this amount.

Masks are required for pupils in secondary school. Masks are required in class unless distance can be maintained. 

Zurich

There is a limit of 300 people in bars and clubs and all such venues need to present a hygiene plan in order to reach this amount.

Adults must wear masks at schools.

Editor’s note: The above information has been provided as a guide only and does not constitute legal advice. Please check with cantonal authorities for up to date information. 

 

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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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