SHARE
COPY LINK

HEALTH

‘Not another Ischgl’: Switzerland unveils plans to make ski slopes safer this winter

Switzerland’s neighbours are fearful of outbreaks if they allow their residents to hit the slopes this winter. In order to encourage tourists, a number of safety measures have been proposed.

'Not another Ischgl': Switzerland unveils plans to make ski slopes safer this winter
Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Switzerland has pledged to keep its ski slopes open through the entire winter, much to the chagrin of its larger neighbours Germany, France and Italy. 

On Wednesday, Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset presented a plan to cut infection risks on the slopes this winter. 

A number of countries have indicated they will stop their citizens from travelling to Switzerland to ski or put in place serious quarantine restrictions in order to prevent outbreaks back home when skiers return. 

UPDATE: French skiers to be banned from hitting Swiss slopes 

Adopting the motto “avoiding a second Ischgl”, Berset laid out a range of ways in which skiing can be made safer, NZZ reports. 

Swiss authorities are hoping the plans will thaw the continental resistance to their decision to keep the slopes open – and hopefully result in a flood of tourists. 

As reported by the NZZ “the unmistakable message from the northern and southern neighbouring countries is that those who already have a comparatively high number of infections should not create potential hotspots in the winter sports resorts”. 

What measures will be adopted? 

In the draft report presented to the cantons for discussion on Wednesday, a number of measures aimed at reducing the total number of skiers were included. 

Two options are provided. 

IN PICTURES: Swiss hit the slopes 'to save ski season'

The first is a restriction of guest numbers to two-thirds of those who were in attendance at the same ski resort on the best-visited day of the previous year. 

Alternately, the number of guests could be capped at 80 percent of the average attendance over Christmas across the past five years. 

Are there any other measures? 

In addition, cable cars may only be used to two thirds of capacity. 

Distance rules should apply when queuing for ski lifts, Watson reports, while masks must also be worn at all times except for when skiing. 

All ski areas need to apply for a permit from the cantonal authorities which references the steps being taken to avoid transmission of the virus. 

READ MORE: Will an American-style queuing system end chaos at Swiss ski lifts?

Cantons will also need to provide evidence that there are sufficient beds in their local hospitals and medical centres to deal with a surge in infections. 

Catering will also be restricted, with skiers only allowed to enter restaurants if a table is available – while all restaurants and ski huts must close at 3pm. 

While Berset hopes that the measures will encourage Switzerland’s neighbours to release their residents to the slopes, Swiss media reports that the measures are likely to be too relaxed to bring about widespread support. 

 

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

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 
 
 

SHOW COMMENTS