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Switzerland to further relax coronavirus measures from Monday

The Local Switzerland
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Switzerland to further relax coronavirus measures from Monday
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Switzerland on Wednesday announced the relaxation of several coronavirus measures from Monday, May 31st.

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While the government has already laid out its plan for the easing of restrictions at the end of the month, the final decision will be announced Wednesday afternoon.

EXPLAINED: What Covid measures will Switzerland relax from Monday?

Given the favourable epidemiological situation in the country — fewer infections, hospitalisations and deaths, and more vaccinations — chances are good that the Federal Council will allow these measures to be lifted:

Restaurants

Indoor areas could be opened, with a maximum of four people per table, registration of contact details, as well as obligation to consume seated and to wear a mask, including at the table when nothing is consumed.

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However, some cantons have already said that the new rules, especially those pertaining to wearing masks while seated, are impractical.

For instance, Schaffhausen, Aargau, St. Gallen, and Thurgau deemed this measure "incomprehensible and impossible to impose".

Working from home

This would no longer be compulsory "for companies which organise regular screening", the Federal Council said.

Here too not all the cantons are in agreement, with Fribourg wanting tests to be a recommendation rather that obligation.

And Vaud authorities said that this requirement would be complicated for small businesses and therefore wants the obligation to work from home to be lifted without it being conditional on testing.

Also, Vaud "expressly requests that vaccinated people be automatically released from the obligation to be tested", the canton said.

More people allowed to gather

It is likely that the limit for private gatherings will be raised to 30 people indoors and 50 outside.

Right now only 10 people are authorised inside and 15 outside.

Cantons already said they are in favour of raising limits on the number of people allowed to get together because “it is extremely difficult to enforce the limit of 15 people for private gatherings outside”, Jura authorities noted.

As for outdoor events, the Federal Council may permit groups of 300 people outdoors and 100 inside, but with venues filled to half their capacity in order to ensure physical distancing.

What about quarantines?

Switzerland already said it would wind back its quarantine requirement for vaccinated people and those who can prove they have recovered from the virus at the end of May. 

READ MORE: Switzerland to remove quarantine for vaccinated people

 

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