Impact of the pandemic
Status 30.03.2022 - Lift of all measures
Today, the Federal Council decided to lift all measures left in effect from 01.04.2022:
Mask requirement on public transport and in healthcare institutions and isolation in the event of illness are no longer in effect.
Status 16.02.2022 - Lift of almost all measures
Today, the Federal Council decided to lift the following measures in effect from 17.02.2022:
- mask requirement in shops, restaurants, as well as in other public settings (facilities, venues and events)
- mask requirement in the workplace
- access restrictions regulated by COVID certificate (3G, 2G and 2G+-rule) to facilities and venues such as cinemas, theatres and restaurants, as well as events
- permit requirement for large-scale events
- restrictions on private gatherings
Mask requirement on public transport and in healthcare institutions and isolation in the event of illness remain in effect.
Status 02.02.2022 - Lift of certain measures
Today, the Federal Council decided to lift the requirement to work from home and the contact quarantine in effect from 03.02.2022.
Status 19.01.2022 - Extending validity of measures
Today, the Federal Council decided to extend the validity of the requirement to work from home until the end of february 2022 and the other measures until the end of march 2022. For details about the specific mesures, read more below.
Status 17.12.2021 – Further tightening of measures
'2G' with mask and seating requirement
In indoor settings where the '3G' rule has so far applied (admission only for persons who have been vaccinated, have recovered from COVID-19 or have tested negative), the '2G' rule will now come into effect (admission only for vaccinated or recovered persons). This concerns restaurants, cultural, sporting and leisure venues and events. A mask requirement still applies in these settings, as does a seating requirement when consuming food or drink. The '3G' rule still applies for outdoors events with over 300 people.
2G+ for clubs and discos and activities where masks are not practicable
In settings where it is not possible to wear a mask or apply a seating requirement, admission will be limited to vaccinated or recovered persons, who must also present a negative test result (2G+). This rule applies to bars and discos, but also to amateur sporting and cultural activities where masks cannot be worn, such as brass band practice. It does not apply to young people under the age of 16. People who within the last four months have been fully vaccinated, received a booster or recovered from COVID-19 do not have to take a further test. Businesses and events subject to the '2G' rule may voluntarily choose to adopt the '2G+' rule and thus forgo the mask and seating requirements.
Rules for private indoor gatherings
If a person from the age of 16 is present who has not been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, no more than 10 people are allowed to meet. Children are included in that number. The upper limit for indoor gatherings is 30 if everyone from the age of 16 is vaccinated or has recovered from COVID-19. The limit for outdoor gatherings is still 50.
Re-introduction of requirement to work from home
The requirement to work from home is re-introduced. If it is necessary for people to work on site, masks must be worn if there is more than one person in the same room.
Mask requirement from upper secondary school level
At upper secondary school level, masks will be mandatory.
Cost of tests to obtain a certificate to be covered
Rapid antigen tests and saliva PCR pool tests will be covered. Self-tests, individual
PCR tests and antibody tests will not be covered, although individual PCR tests will continue to be free of charge for persons who show symptoms, are close contacts or were part of a positive test pool. The new rules governing test costs will apply from Saturday, 18 December.
Only one test on entry for persons who are vaccinated or recovered
In addition to PCR tests taken within the previous 72 hours, rapid antigen tests taken within the previous 24 hours will also be
accepted for entering Switzerland. The requirement to take a second test 4 to 7 days after entering the country will be waived for persons who are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19.
Status 3.12.2021 - Tightening of measures
To break the fifth wave, the Federal Council today announced new measures. These are the new measures in effect from Monday, 6th December 2021:
Extension of certificate requirement
The certificate requirement now applies to all indoor spaces at all public events, as well as
for all amateur sporting and cultural activities. The current exemption for fixed groups of fewer than 30 people is rescinded. A certificate requirement will now apply to outdoor events with over 300 people. The limit until now had been 1,000 people. For indoor gatherings of friends and family attended by 11 or more people the certificate is recommended.
Extension of requirement to wear masks
The requirement to wear a mask now applies in all situations where a certificate requirement applies - except at private gatherings. The requirement also applies during visits to museums, concerts or libraries. Where it is not possible to wear a mask, alternative measures will apply: a seating requirement when consuming food and drink in restaurants or recording the contact details of those attending cultural and sporting activities such as choir practice and indoor training.
Option of limiting access to those vaccinated or recovered
At all public venues and events, whether indoors or outdoors, where a requirement to wear masks and be seated is impracticable or undesirable, it will be permitted to restrict access to people who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID.
Measures at the workplace
The Federal Council is issuing an urgent recommendation to work from home. In addition, all employees must wear a mask in indoor areas where several people are working.
Validity of test certificates shortened
The validity of rapid antigen tests will be reduced from 48 hours to 24 hours from the time the sample is taken. PCR tests continue to be valid for 72 hours.
Duration of the measures:
The measures are limited until 24 January 2022.
Status 01.10.2021 - Costs of tests
Decision of the Federal Council on 01.10.2021: Test costs are now only covered by the federal government in exceptional cases. For those who have received their first vaccine dose but do not yet have a COVID certificate, the federal government will cover the costs of testing (rapid antigen tests and pooled PCR saliva tests) until 30 November. Also, testing for COVID certificate purposes will remain free of charge for everyone under 16.
Status 20.09.2021 - New rules for entering Switzerland
On September 17, 2021, the Federal Council issued new rules for people entering Switzerland that took effect on September 20.
Do I have to get tested if I am traveling back to Switzerland from my vacation?
If you've been fully vaccinated or recovered from the virus, you don't have to get tested before entering the country. Anyone who hasn't been fully vaccinated or can't prove that they have recovered from the virus must take an antigen or PCR test. A negative test result is required to enter the country.
What do I have to do after entering the country?
If you had to provide a negative test result before entering the country, you must take another test after four to seven days and send the result to the relevant cantonal authority.
Who pays for this test?
Anyone who has to be tested must pay for their own test.
Is there anything else I need to bear in mind when entering the country?
Everyone, including those who have been vaccinated or tested or have recovered, has to fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) on entering the country. A PLF must be filled out for every traveler, including children of all ages. This can be done online.
Are there any exceptions to the test requirement?
Yes. Children under 16 don't have to get tested before or after entering the country. People who are only traveling through Switzerland, those transporting goods or people in a professional capacity, and cross-border commuters also don't need a test.
What happens if I do not follow these rules?
The fine for failing to produce a test result is CHF 200. The fine for failing to fill out the PLF is CHF 100.
Status 09.09.2021 - certificate requirement
The COVID certificate provides documentary evidence that you have had a COVID-19 vaccination, have had and recovered from the disease, or have tested negative (Rule: vaccinated, recovered, tested; GGG geimpft, genesen, getestet). On September 8, 2021, the Federal Council ordered a certificate requirement for various areas from September 13, 2021. This applies for everyone 16 years of age and older and stipulates that entering indoor spaces of various businesses and other facilities is no longer allowed without a certificate, for instance:
- restaurants and bars
- cultural and leisure facilities
- concert halls, theaters, cinemas
- fitness centers, sports events
- museums, libraries,
- zoos, climbing halls, indoor pools, water parks
- billiard halls, and casinos.
A detailed list of the new rules, the exceptions and also the threatened sanctions for non-compliance can be found here.
Status 14.01.2021
Due to the mutation of the coronavirus, the Federal Council has taken more stringent measures, which will come into force on Monday, 18.1.2021. For the time being, they will apply until the end of February. In summary, they mean that all shops for non-daily goods will have to close in Switzerland, home offices will become compulsory and only a maximum of five people - including children - will be allowed to attend private events. But what do these measures mean in detail - especially for employees and employers?
What does the home office obligation mean in concrete terms?
From 18 January 2021, employers are obliged to arrange home office wherever this is possible due to the nature of the activity and can be implemented with a reasonable amount of effort.
Does my employer have to pay for rent and electricity costs?
The Federal Council has excluded a claim for reimbursement of electricity, internet or rental costs in the ordinance, as the home office obligation will be temporary. Expenses that are necessary for the performance of work (e.g. postage costs, printer cartridges, paper) must be paid by your employer.
Do I always have to be available for my supervisor in the home office?
Also at home, the contractually agreed working hours still apply and you have the right for breaks. However, we advise you to discuss the hours of presence with your employer. It may also be worthwhile to agree on how quickly you respond to e-mails.
Employers also have a duty of care towards their employees. If, for example, the presence of children makes it impossible to work undisturbed at certain times, you can expect your employer to make some concessions.
Stricter obligation to wear a mask
From 18 January 2021, a stricter mask requirement will apply to protect employees in all places where it is not possible to work in a home office. If more than one person is present in an indoor area (for example in offices or in vehicles), a general mask obligation will apply - even if the distances can be observed.
Do I have to wear the mask in the office even when I am sitting at my desk?
Yes, from 18.1.2021, if you are not sitting alone in an office, you must also wear a mask at your desk. A large distance between workplaces in the same room is no longer sufficient.
What consequences can I expect if I refuse to wear a protective mask?
If you violate the obligation to wear a protective mask, you can be fined up to CHF 10,000 according to the law of Epidemics. If you are negligent, you can be fined up to a maximum of CHF 5,000. In the workplace, you can be given a warning or dismissed. In the worst case, you may even be dismissed without notice after a warning.
I panic when I wear a mask. Who can issue me a mask dispensation?
People who cannot wear masks for special reasons (mainly medical) must provide evidence of this. The new regulation specifies who can issue a certificate for a mask dispensation for medical reasons. You can go to a doctor, a dentist, a pharmacist or a psychotherapist. A certificate may only be issued if this is indicated for the person concerned. Accordingly, it requires an individual examination.
I belong to the group of particularly vulnerable persons. Do I still have to come to work if home office is not possible?
Special measures apply to protect workers at risk. For this purpose, as was already the case in spring 2020, the right to home office or equivalent protection at the workplace or leave of absence for particularly vulnerable persons applies. In professions or workplaces where the protection provisions cannot be implemented, this means that in the worst case you can no longer work in your profession and have to take leave. The loss of earnings is covered by the social insurance EO.
Persons at particular risk include newly pregnant women and persons at risk who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. Persons over the age of 65 are no longer included in this group.
Status 26.05.2020
In a widely respected ruling, the Federal Tribunal has decided that an employer must pay a share of the rent for an apartment to an employee with a home office obligation.
What does this mean for all those who work in a home office because of the current situation?
Due to the current situation, my employer has asked me to work from home and not to come to the office. Can I ask my employer to pay part of my rent? In this case it is an exceptional situation and not a permanent situation. The employer is concerned about your health and the Swiss government has recommended that you work from home wherever possible. In this case, however, it is not explicitly a home office requirement for which the employer is responsible. In principle, there is no obligation on the part of the employer to pay compensation in this case. The situation is different if your employer permanently offers you no or no suitable workplace and you have to set it up at home in order to be able to perform your business tasks. In this case, your employer is liable to reimburse you for the work infrastructure at home that is necessary for the performance of your work. The respective compensation must be examined on a case-by-case basis.
So the Federal Tribunal's decision does not apply to all of them?
No, not all employees who work from home during the Corona lockdown can expect additional compensation. If you work from home at your own request, but are not explicitly obliged to work from home, you cannot make a claim. In this case, there is a workplace available for you in the company in addition to the "Corona home office" and you work from home only temporarily.
Status 12.05.2020
My holidays booked at the travel agency are cancelled. What should I do?
On 6.5.2020, Parliament decided in an extraordinary session that refunds to customers need only be made once travel agencies or tour operators have received the money already paid for by the airlines and hotels. What consequences does this decision have for you and your planned trip? We recommend that you wait until the tour operator cancels your trip so that you can then apply for a refund of the travel costs already paid. We do not recommend that you cancel your trip yourself. This may result in cancellation costs that will be charged to you. If the tour operator cancels your trip, you will have to be patient with the Parliament's decision on reimbursement. The travel agency can now wait until October of this year before reimbursing the costs you have already paid. Some tour operators issue vouchers as an alternative to payment, which you can redeem on a later trip.