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HEALTH

Coronavirus: Is a lockdown extension inevitable in Switzerland?

Will Switzerland’s coronavirus measures be extended beyond February 28th?

Published: 12 February 2021 16:02 CET
Coronavirus: Is a lockdown extension inevitable in Switzerland?
Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Switzerland’s coronavirus measures are in place until at least February 28th. 

On Monday, Swiss media reported Health Minister Alain Berset indicated not only would the lockdown be extended, but that a range of tighter measures were being considered. 

READ MORE: Switzerland likely to tighten coronavirus measures to 'save summer': reports 

This is despite infection rates falling across much of the country. 

On Friday however, Berset indicated however that the Federal Council hadn’t ruled out a relaxation of at least some of the existing measures. 

Speaking with French-language newspaper Le Nouvelliste, Berset said an easing of measures was likely. 

“The Federal Council is likely to announce easing, because you have to be able to live.”

“The Federal Council will draw up the measures next week. Then there will be a consultation with the cantons,” he said. 

Berset said that not all measures would be relaxed – and declined to say which ones were likely to be eased. 

“We have to be careful. The Federal Council understands the frustration in the population. The Federal Council would also like to see easing, that's clear.”

He did however appeal to the population to stick to the rules in order to bring about an end to the lockdown sooner. 

“If we want to prevent the situation from deteriorating, every last person must play along and adhere to the restrictions.”

‘No Covid group’

Motivated by the approaches taken in island countries such as Australia, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand, Switzerland’s No Covid group is pushing for a tighter set of rules. 

According to Switzerland’s NZZ newspaper, the strategy is based on “rigorous containment and rigorous testing”. 

Under the plan, lockdowns are to be applied regionally – whether that be in municipalities, cities or cantons – and would only be lifted where the infection rate is 10 new infections over 14 days per 100,000 residents. 

Currently, Switzerland’s infection rate is just over 250 new infections per 100,000 residents over the past 14 days – with not one canton having a lower rate than that suggested by the No Covid group. 

The idea has been criticised, primarily from those who point out that Switzerland’s geography and integration with border areas makes it far more difficult to isolate regions than in the aforementioned island nations. 

 

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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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