Today in Switzerland: A round-up of the latest news on Tuesday
Find out what's going on today in Switzerland with The Local's short roundup of the news.
Vaud extends its vaccination programme to all ages
On Monday, the canton opened its vaccination programme to all the residents over the age of 18, placing Vaud ahead of other cantons in terms of progress in inoculations.
As soon as the announcement was made, 40,000 people tried to log into the online registration system at the same time, causing it to temporarily collapse.
Prior to Monday, only people 50 and over had access to vaccines in Vaud.
Two reasons are given for extending vaccinations to all adults, regardless of age or health status: the arrival of large quantities of doses and the opening of new vaccination centres.
#COVID19 Le Canton de Vaud ouvre la vaccination à toute la population de plus de 18 ans #Vaud https://t.co/eWowN0342S pic.twitter.com/hDIqI7fiGp
— Etat de Vaud (@EtatdeVaud) April 26, 2021
Read our detailed article today about the status of Vaud’s and Switzerland’s vaccination campaign.
Stalled talks between Switzerland and the EU
Back from Brussels, where he went last week to negotiate the “framework agreement” between Switzerland and the EU, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said some issues still remain unresolved.
Among them are the free movement of people agreement and labour market regulations, including wages and access of EU nationals to Switzerland’s social security scheme.
“The Federal Council has always stated that Switzerland wishes to consolidate and develop its bilateral relationship with the European Union”, Parmelin said in a statement, adding that despite long-drawn negotiations “significant differences remain” between the two parties.
Statement by #SwissPresident @ParmelinG following meeting with European Commission President @vonderleyen. #SwissEUrelations (BK) pic.twitter.com/vbAjK1OZbd
— André Simonazzi (@BR_Sprecher) April 23, 2021
READ MORE: What’s at stake in Switzerland’s European Union negotiations?
Travel from India: A quarantine is not enough, Swiss politicians say
On Monday, Switzerland placed India on the quarantine list due to a highly infectious coronavirus mutation prevalent in the Asian country.
However, several MPs have immediately reacted, saying an entry ban for all travellers from India should also be imposed, the same way as flights from the UK were suspended in December when a British variant of the disease was detected in Switzerland.
“At least for non-essential travel, a ban is needed” said deputy Martin Bäumle.
Another MP, Lorenz Hess, noted that “Switzerland must react quickly and decisively when it comes to security precautions. India should not only be on the quarantine list, but the federal government must also suspend all travel from there”.
READ MORE: Switzerland places India on quarantine list effective immediately
Looking for an apartment in Geneva? You may have to pay a hefty fee to see it
Several relocation agencies in Geneva, where reasonably priced housing is hard to find, charge a fee for showing apartments and houses to potential tenants.
Media reported about this after a Geneva resident wishing to visit an apartment advertised on the agency’s site was told he could see it only if he paid 350 francs upfront.
The report outraged tenant rights organisations, which condemned the “unscrupulous practice” and warned apartment seekers not to pay these fees to relocation or real estate agencies.
The Local will have an article about this later today.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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Vaud extends its vaccination programme to all ages
On Monday, the canton opened its vaccination programme to all the residents over the age of 18, placing Vaud ahead of other cantons in terms of progress in inoculations.
As soon as the announcement was made, 40,000 people tried to log into the online registration system at the same time, causing it to temporarily collapse.
Prior to Monday, only people 50 and over had access to vaccines in Vaud.
Two reasons are given for extending vaccinations to all adults, regardless of age or health status: the arrival of large quantities of doses and the opening of new vaccination centres.
#COVID19 Le Canton de Vaud ouvre la vaccination à toute la population de plus de 18 ans #Vaud https://t.co/eWowN0342S pic.twitter.com/hDIqI7fiGp
— Etat de Vaud (@EtatdeVaud) April 26, 2021
Read our detailed article today about the status of Vaud’s and Switzerland’s vaccination campaign.
Stalled talks between Switzerland and the EU
Back from Brussels, where he went last week to negotiate the “framework agreement” between Switzerland and the EU, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said some issues still remain unresolved.
Among them are the free movement of people agreement and labour market regulations, including wages and access of EU nationals to Switzerland’s social security scheme.
“The Federal Council has always stated that Switzerland wishes to consolidate and develop its bilateral relationship with the European Union”, Parmelin said in a statement, adding that despite long-drawn negotiations “significant differences remain” between the two parties.
Statement by #SwissPresident @ParmelinG following meeting with European Commission President @vonderleyen. #SwissEUrelations (BK) pic.twitter.com/vbAjK1OZbd
— André Simonazzi (@BR_Sprecher) April 23, 2021
READ MORE: What’s at stake in Switzerland’s European Union negotiations?
Travel from India: A quarantine is not enough, Swiss politicians say
On Monday, Switzerland placed India on the quarantine list due to a highly infectious coronavirus mutation prevalent in the Asian country.
However, several MPs have immediately reacted, saying an entry ban for all travellers from India should also be imposed, the same way as flights from the UK were suspended in December when a British variant of the disease was detected in Switzerland.
“At least for non-essential travel, a ban is needed” said deputy Martin Bäumle.
Another MP, Lorenz Hess, noted that “Switzerland must react quickly and decisively when it comes to security precautions. India should not only be on the quarantine list, but the federal government must also suspend all travel from there”.
READ MORE: Switzerland places India on quarantine list effective immediately
Looking for an apartment in Geneva? You may have to pay a hefty fee to see it
Several relocation agencies in Geneva, where reasonably priced housing is hard to find, charge a fee for showing apartments and houses to potential tenants.
Media reported about this after a Geneva resident wishing to visit an apartment advertised on the agency’s site was told he could see it only if he paid 350 francs upfront.
The report outraged tenant rights organisations, which condemned the “unscrupulous practice” and warned apartment seekers not to pay these fees to relocation or real estate agencies.
The Local will have an article about this later today.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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