Switzerland Orders Mandatory Quarantine For All Arrivals From Omicron-Stricken Countries

(Credit: zuerich.com) The government of Switzerland has announced urgent new measures in order to combat the new Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant. All persons (children included) coming from the countries where the Omicron has been detected will have to present a negative PCR test upon arrival and subsequently undergo mandatory 10-day quarantine regardless of the vaccination status. Additionally, a PCR or rapid {…}

Mar 20, 2021

Switzerland Extends Drastic COVID-19 Regulations, Postpones Culture Sector Reopening

(Credit: Opernhaus Zürich official website) The Swiss Federal Council has announced that it will further extend the current COVID-19 regulations due to the soaring number of new COVID-19 cases in the country. Per an official statement, the federal authorities believe that the steadily rising number of COVID-19 cases does not justify relaxation of any kind. Additionally, too few people have {…}

Feb 17, 2021

Switzerland Planning to Reopen Cultural Sector in April

(Credit: Bern Tourismus) The Swiss Federal Council has decided to begin a gradual relaxation of its nationwide hard lockdown measures that were set to expire on Feb. 28, 2021. In this initial step, which will start on March 1, non-essential shops, museums, libraries, zoos, and botanical gardens will be allowed to reopen. Depending on the epidemiological situation, the Council plans {…}

Jan 7, 2021

Switzerland To Extend Light Lockdown Until End of February

(Credit: Bern.com) The Swiss Federal Council has decided to remove cantonal exceptions and apply federal COVID-19 restriction measures universally across the whole country starting Jan. 9, 2021. Per the federal proposal, restaurants, bars, and cultural venues will remain closed throughout Switzerland until the end of February 2021. The Swiss Federal Council introduced new measures on Dec. 22, 2020 that were {…}

Dec 20, 2020

Switzerland Enters New Lockdown, Theater Basel’s February Performances ‘Uncertain’

Credit: Basel.com The Swiss Federal Council has declared a new lockdown in Switzerland. Due to the new decision of the Swiss federal authorities, restaurants, bars, theaters, concert halls, and opera houses will be closed until at least Jan. 22, 2021. Major Swiss cultural institutions have already closed until the end of January or February 2021. However, as a result of {…}

Dec 16, 2020

Swiss COVID-19 Task Force Requires Full Lockdown

Credit: Bern.com The Swiss COVID-19 task force has demanded urgent action after ‘insufficient” measures taken by the Swiss Federal Council on Dec. 11 2020. “There is a clear significant rise in cases,” Patrick Mathys, head of the crisis management at the Federal Office of Public Health, told reporters on Dec. 15. “We need effective measures to reduce the pressure on {…}

Dec 11, 2020

Switzerland To Ban All Cultural Events

(Credit: Basel.com) Update: Swiss Federal Council allowed cultural events with up to 5 people. The Swiss Federal Council has decided to take action and impose nationwide COVID-19 restrictions. The new measures would start on Saturday, Dec. 12, and lasts until at least Jan. 20, 2021. The council has observed that in recent days, several cantons have taken or announced new {…}

Oct 28, 2020

Switzerland Announces New COVID-19 Measures; Lucerne Festival Cancels Beethoven Festival & Opernhaus Zurich Shuts Down

(Credit: Opernhaus Zürich official website) The Swiss government has announced a set of new strict measures that will also affect cultural institutions, including the opera houses and concert halls. Events with more than 50 people will be prohibited, as well as sporting and cultural leisure activities with more than 15 spectators. The Swiss government has also shut down disco clubs {…}

May 15, 2020

Four European Countries Open Borders as COVID-19 Reopening Continues

As Europe eases on the lockdown for the coronavirus, Switzerland has announced that it will open borders with Austria, Germany and France. Following discussions with the Interior Ministers, the Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter and the three countries have come to an agreement to remove restrictions on June 15. The agreement will allow border crossing but will still limit airfare. According {…}

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