Advertisement

More Swiss cantons reintroduce coronavirus lockdown measures

The Local
The Local - [email protected]
More Swiss cantons reintroduce coronavirus lockdown measures
University students in Belgium wearing masks take socially-distanced exams. Similar requirements are to be implemented in some parts of Switzerland. Image: Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP

Coronavirus lockdown measures have been strengthened in Valais, Lucerne and Fribourg, as more Swiss cantons take steps to curb rising infection rates.

Advertisement

In Valais and Lucerne, nightclubs and bars will be subject to more stringent controls, while masks will be required at educational institutions in Lucerne and Fribourg. 

Valais and Lucerne

One week after four cantons in Switzerland’s north strengthened lockdown measures, the southern canton of Valais has done the same. 

READ: Several Swiss cantons to reintroduce coronavirus restrictions from Thursday 

From Thursday, July 16th, protective measures will be strengthened in bars and clubs. No more than 100 people will be allowed after 8pm, while contact information will need to be recorded to enable tracing. 

Unlike previously in Switzerland where this has been done via encouraging guests to fill out a book themselves, they will now need to provide their full name, telephone number and address which will be checked via an ID control. 

The venue will also call their mobile phone to make sure that the number is correct. 

Their arrival and departure times will also be recorded. 

All information must be stored for 14 days, after which it will be destroyed. 

Social distancing and hygiene requirements must be observed, however authorities in Valais have stopped short of those in northern Switzerland by not mandating the wearing of masks. 

Instead, masks are strongly recommended. 

In Lucerne, authorities will reduce the maximum number of people allowed in restaurants, events and nightclubs from 300 to 100 as of Friday, July 17th. 

Advertisement

Lucerne and Fribourg

Students at the University of Fribourg will be required to wear masks from the coming autumn semester onwards. 

The new rule applies from August 31st until January 31st and can be extended. 

Students will also be required to download the SwissCovid coronavirus tracing app, while every second seat in lecture halls will be left free.

As reported by the NZZ on Tuesday, the University of Basel is considering a similar requirement

In Lucerne, masks have been made compulsory at all high schools and vocational schools. The masks will need to be worn in class and also during lunch breaks.

As of Tuesday morning, Jura is considering a similar plan. 

Where else has lockdown been strengthened?

The cantons of Basel City, Basel Country, Aargau and Solothurn announced on Wednesday, July 8th, that rising infection rates necessitated the reintroduction of coronavirus lockdown measures. 

The measures will be put in place from Thursday, July 9th onwards and will include a lower maximum number of guests for nightclubs - or a mask requirement for all attendees. 

The maximum amount of guests who can attend a private party, restaurant, nightclub or other event will be reduced from 300 to 100, unless all guests wear masks while in the club. 

Patrons of clubs with fewer than 100 attendees will not require masks. 

Larger venues will be allowed to exceed the maximum on the premises provided that the number of patrons in each separate area does not exceed 100. 

Contact data must still be recorded. 

The rules will apply until December 31st, except for in Solothurn where the end date provided has been August 31st. 

The full press release can be found here

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also