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From 6 June 2020, measures put in place to fight the spread of SARS-CoV-2 will be extensively eased, according to Switzerland’s government. © Regissercom | Dreamstime.comThe number of new cases of infection has remained low for a number of weeks now, as has the number of hospital admissions and deaths, said a press statement. From 30 May 2020, the limit on private gatherings in public will be increased from a maximum of 5 people to a maximum of 30. From 6 June 2020, organised...

Since 11:50 am on 26 May 2020, Swisscom’s mobile and landline networks have been experiencing problems. © Rostislav Ageev | Dreamstime.comLandline and mobile network calls are currently impaired for business and private customers, according to Swisscom. The company said its specialists are working on rectifying a fault that started at 11:50am on 26 May 2020. According the Swiss government website alert.swiss the network disturbance is affecting 14 cantons. Update: Swisscom...

In Switzerland, the finances of hospitals are similar to those of a business. If revenues fall, as they did during the coronavirus pandemic, profits can turn into losses. © Francisco Javier Zea Lara | Dreamstime.comDuring the recent phase of the pandemic, non-urgent operations were postponed to free up hospital capacity to care for serious Covid-19 cases. Postponing these operations has left a large hole in hospital revenue. Fears of infection have kept others away from hospitals, further...

The rate on deposits at the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is currently -0.75%. And while taking the rate further into negative territory is not the base case scenario, it cannot be excluded, according to some economists at the bank UBS. © Marekusz | Dreamstime.comThe probability that the SNB lowers rates further is not a base scenario, according to Thomas Jordan, the bank’s chief, reported the newspaper 20 Minutes. However, economists at UBS think it is possible, and give it a 30%...

Yesterday, EasyJet announced that a “highly sophisticated” cyber-attack had affected around 9 million customers. © Transversospinales | Dreamstime.comThe company said its “investigation found that the email address and travel details of approximately 9 million customers were accessed. These affected customers will be contacted in the next few days. If you are not contacted then your information has not been accessed.”   The statement said 2,208 customers had their credit card details...

On 13 May 2020, Karin Keller-Sutter, Switzerland’s ministerial head of police and justice, said Switzerland is aiming to fully reopen borders between Germany, Austria and France on 15 June 2020. © Prosiaczeq | Dreamstime.comAfter discussions with her counterparts in these three countries she said there was a common will to return to normal as quickly as possible including the freedom to travel, if epidemiological development allows it.  In addition, she said they would like to relax...

During the coronavirus lockdown, Switzerland closed many of its international border crossings. As schools and more businesses open, the government is reopening more border points. However, cross-border movement remains restricted.  Iryna Moroz | Dreamstime.comFrom Monday 11 May 2020, the following additional border entry points into and out of Switzerland reopened: Geneva: Certoux, Chancy I, Croix-de-Rozon, Landecy Graubunden: SpiessJura: FahyNeuchâtel: BiaufondSolothurn: FlühTicino:...

Over the weekend, hundreds rallied against lockdown measures across Switzerland in the cities of Bern, Zurich, Basel and St. Gallen. © Ocskay Mark | Dreamstime.comAnti-lockdown protesters in these cities flouted rules introduced in mid-March banning public groups of more than five people, designed to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The protestors consider the rules in breach of their fundamental rights. In Bern and St. Gallen, dozens were stopped by the police and face...

A survey published on 7 May 2020, suggests only 36% of Swiss support the government’s calendar for reopening the country after the Covid-19 shutdown. © Hdesislava | Dreamstime.com23% think the plan to reopen is too slow, while 42% think it is fast or too fast. However, 60% said they had confidence in the government. The most controversial aspects of the plan were reopening schools and reopening restaurants, bars and nightclubs. 37% thought restaurants were opening too early, 29%...

Consumer sentiment in Switzerland in April 2020 reached a historic low. The coronavirus has dampened expectations for general economic development and employment and the population is bracing itself for tough financial times, according to the survey. © Michael Müller | Dreamstime.comSwiss consumer sentiment fell from −9 points in January 2020 to −39 points in April 2020, a level well below the level seen in the 2008-2009 financial crisis. The only other time consumer sentiment was...