Coronavirus: Zurich emerges as Switzerland's new 'high risk' area
Zurich has emerged as Switzerland's new coronavirus hotspot, with the cantonal government fearing 'massive economic consequences'.
Zurich, Switzerland's most populous canton, reached 60 new infections per 100,000 residents on Sunday.
Not only does this make it one of the country's new coronavirus hotspots, but it has crossed the government's threshold for 'high risk' countries.
This means that if Zurich was a foreign country, its residents would need to quarantine for ten days upon arrival in Switzerland.
Despite this, the Swiss government has frequently rejected any internal quarantines to be placed on arrivals from specific cantons.
READ: Everything you need to know about Switzerland's quarantine requirement
As reported in the Tages Anzeiger, the cantonal government is concerned about the impact these rising infection rates will have on tourists and business travellers.
Zurich put in place stricter rules on Thursday, August 27th, including compulsory masks in shops, supermarkets and markets.
Geneva still the hardest hit
The western canton of Geneva has been the hardest hit for months, with new infections rates remaining high.
There have been 96 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the past two weeks.
If Geneva were a country, it would also be above the Swiss government’s threshold for ‘high-risk’ countries that require a ten-day quarantine on arrival.
READ MORE: Which cantons are worst at enforcing coronavirus measures?
Geneva. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
Cantonal officials point out that the immediate risk is less significant as those infected are primarily younger, however the risk of infecting a person in a vulnerable category remains high.
On Tuesday, July 28th, Geneva put in place compulsory mask requirements in shops and in the Geneva Airport.
Correction: This article previously stated that masks were required in restaurants and bars. As of August 27th, masks are only compulsory in shopping centres, supermarkets, markets and shops in Zurich.
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Zurich, Switzerland's most populous canton, reached 60 new infections per 100,000 residents on Sunday.
Not only does this make it one of the country's new coronavirus hotspots, but it has crossed the government's threshold for 'high risk' countries.
This means that if Zurich was a foreign country, its residents would need to quarantine for ten days upon arrival in Switzerland.
Despite this, the Swiss government has frequently rejected any internal quarantines to be placed on arrivals from specific cantons.
READ: Everything you need to know about Switzerland's quarantine requirement
Geneva still the hardest hit
The western canton of Geneva has been the hardest hit for months, with new infections rates remaining high.
There have been 96 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the past two weeks.
If Geneva were a country, it would also be above the Swiss government’s threshold for ‘high-risk’ countries that require a ten-day quarantine on arrival.
READ MORE: Which cantons are worst at enforcing coronavirus measures?
Geneva. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
Cantonal officials point out that the immediate risk is less significant as those infected are primarily younger, however the risk of infecting a person in a vulnerable category remains high.
On Tuesday, July 28th, Geneva put in place compulsory mask requirements in shops and in the Geneva Airport.
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