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Switzerland likely to tighten coronavirus measures to ‘save summer’: reports

Swiss health officials are set to push for a tightening of coronavirus measures at a meeting between federal and cantonal authorities on Friday, February 19th, Swiss media reports.

Published: 9 February 2021 17:41 CET
Switzerland likely to tighten coronavirus measures to 'save summer': reports
Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP

Despite falling case numbers, Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset is set to push for a stricter set of coronavirus measures – as well as an extension beyond February 28th – when federal authorities meet with their cantonal counterparts on Friday. 

The major reason is the prevalence of the coronavirus mutation in Switzerland, which Berset fears has the possibility to continue to surge in the coming months. 

Swiss authorities expect the coronavirus mutations to replace the known examples of coronavirus by March to become the dominant strains. 

A source told the NZZ newspaper that Berset is concerned that without urgent action, “there will be very high numbers of infections in May, June and July”. 

By adopting harsher measures now, Switzerland can expect fewer measures to carry through to the summer. 

At the very minimum, Switzerland is expected to extend the existing coronavirus measures beyond their current expiration date of February 28th. 

What is expected to be tightened?

Other than the continuation of the current measures, a range of tightenings are being considered to curb the spread of the mutation. 

Top cantonal doctor Rudolf Hauri, a leading voice in the lockdown efforts, has flagged a number of areas which could be tightened. 

“The situation remains difficult because the activity of the coronavirus mutations is increasing despite drastic measures,” Hauri told the Tages Anzeiger. 

Hauri pointed to the closure of schools and ski areas as a possible and realistic way the government could curb the spread of the mutation. 

Schools have been shuttered for months in neighbouring Germany, while ski fields in many European countries have not been allowed to open this winter. 

In addition, Hauri flagged the closure of shops other than grocery stores as a possible way of curbing infections. 

Stay at home orders, compulsory FFP2 masks, further contact restrictions, stricter working from home requirements and other measures are being considered. 

Neighbouring Austria put in place a 24-hour stay at home order in December which stayed in place until early February. 

“It comes down to the fact that further efforts are necessary,” Hauri said. 

Will anything be relaxed? 

Whether Berset will be able to get the measures approved by the Federal Council remains to be seen, given the resistance from other parties. 

The FDP's Marcel Dobler said given that infection rates were currently falling “tightening is unacceptable”. 

A government source told the NZZ that the announcement is expected to be accompanied by “a little bit of sugar”, i.e. symbolic relaxations that make the extensions and tightenings a little easier to take. 

Non-essential shops, cultural facilities along with sports will see gradual relaxations. 

Bars and restaurants would not be allowed to open until a second step in the relaxations – with smaller events being again possible in the third round of relaxations. 

A complete relaxation of measures is only expected when a majority of Swiss have been vaccinated. Switzerland wants to vaccinate 5.5 million people – or around 75 percent of the population – by June. 

Testing is expected to be expanded across the country as a way of isolating clusters. Several cantons including Aargau, Graubünden, Vaud, Zug and Basel Country have begun or announced some form of mass testing in recent days. 

 

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FOOD AND DRINK

EXPLAINED: What does the ‘bio’ label on foods in Switzerland really mean?

All major Swiss supermarkets have products designated as ‘bio’, which refers to their ‘organic’ farming or manufacturing methods. But what exactly does this label represent?

Published: 24 June 2024 11:31 CEST
EXPLAINED: What does the 'bio' label on foods in Switzerland really mean?

In its press release published in June 2024, Bio Suisse, an umbrella group for organic food producers, said that residents of Switzerland are international ‘bio’ champions. 

“With consumption of 454 francs per capita, Switzerland ranks first in international comparison,” the organisation said. “In no other European country is the organic basket of goods as large.”

In terms of preference for organic food, “Switzerland is ahead of Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg and Sweden. Germany follows in sixth place and France just behind in seventh place,” Bio-Suisse added.

This finding is not surprising because the consumption of this more expensive type of food is directly linked to income: the wealthier the country, the more its residents are willing to spend on organic products.

What does a ‘bio’ label stand for in Switzerland?

In a nutshell, organic products must meet much higher standards and comply with more requirements than the ‘conventional’ foods in the way they are grown and manufactured.

Contrary to most conventional production methods, organic farming is more sustainable — that is, it protects the environment and conserves resources instead of depleting them.

A total of 7,362 organic farmers and producers are members of Bio Suisse.

In addition, more than 2,300 operations abroad are also certified according to the Bio Suisse standards, which means their farming / production methods are equivalent to those practiced in Switzerland.

Can you trust a ‘bio’ label, or is it just a lot of hype (as some people claim?)

In Switzerland, this process is strictly controlled by various organic farming ordinances, which are enforced by the Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW). 

This means that every farm that produces, prepares, trades or imports organic products is inspected and certified at least once a year by one of the four accredited and approved certification bodies in Switzerland.

These laws also set out the principles by which agricultural products and foodstuffs labelled as organic must be made, and which non-toxic substances are authorised for use in organic farming and for preparing organic food.

Why are organic products more expensive than conventional ones?

Among the main reasons are more rigorous production and certification standards, which must meet all the requirements set out by the BLW.

Also, operational costs involved in the use of natural, pesticide-free fertilisers and high-quality animal feed, are higher in organic farming than in conventional one.

Additionally, the supply of organic food in Swiss supermarkets is more limited than that of conventional one, which pushes prices up.

And then there is this often-asked question: is organic food in Switzerland in really healthier?

Some people will swear by the better quality and higher nutritional value of organic products, while others will say the benefits are exaggerated.

There is no definite answer to this question, except this: some studies have shown possible health benefits of organic foods when compared with foods grown using conventional process.

However, there is limited information to prove how these differences can give potential overall health benefits.

But Zurich authorities believe in the ‘power’ of organic foods: in 2022, they mandated that most of the food served in the city’s hospitals, care centres, childcare facilities, and schools, be organic.

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