Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
Find out what's going on today in Switzerland with The Local's short roundup of the news.
Swiss Covid-19 pass is taking shape — this is what it might look like
Intensive work is currently underway on the last stages of the Covid certificate, which will be gradually introduced in the cantons from June 7th, according to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
“Various security analyses are being carried out to obtain an appropriate level of security”, the NCSC said. Along with experts, members of the public who have IT and cyber security knowledge are also asked to identify any weak spots in the system.
For this purpose, NCSC made the source code of the Covid certificate publicly available.
And this is what the certificate could look like.
NCSC
UBS bank will charge two francs for Bancomat withdrawals
UBS was one of the last establishments not to charge its customers when they withdraw money from a competitor's ATM, but from today this practice is over. This move should discourage UBS clients from using other banks’ ATMs.
“Customers who choose to withdraw only from our distributors will save two francs per month", said Jean-Raphaël Fontannaz, UBS spokesperson.
He also refuted the notion of free withdrawals: “This does not exist. Until now, UBS has offered its clients the fees that other banks charge for these transactions. In the current context, this position is no longer tenable”.
Only in Switzerland? Cows’ horns are on the political agenda
During the summer parliamentary session, which began on May 31st, deputies will debate various issues of importance to Switzerland, including the reform of the social security system and taxation.
But MPs will also weigh in on another crucial matter: the funding for cows’ horns. A senator is asking the Federal Council to amend the ordinance on direct payments to make an "appropriate contribution" for the maintenance of horns. The motion is supported by a number of deputies in Council of States, the upper house of the parliament.
This is not a new issue in Switzerland: in 2018, Swiss voters rejected the initiative calling for subsidies for farmers who choose not to dehorn their cows and goats.
Residents of Ticino might be able to go shopping in Italy this week
Unlike France and Germany, which allow Swiss residents who live close to the border to go shopping, Italy still has strict entry rules in place, excluding quick shopping sprees across the border.
However, the mayor of Italian border municipality of Lavena Ponte Tresa wrote a letter to the country’s Health Ministry asking for a temporary exemption to be granted to Ticino residents who live within 20 kilometres of the Italian border.
He asked that people from Ticino be allowed to shop in Italy over the coming four-day weekend, which is a holiday in the canton.
READ MORE: What are the current rules on travelling from Switzerland to neighbouring countries?
Switzerland’s economy is improving
Swiss gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 3.2 percent in 2021 and 2.9 percent in 2022, according to the latest forecasts issued by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The easing of the measures put in place to curb the pandemic in Switzerland has allowed its economy to take off.
The gradual reduction in savings is a sign of a recovery in consumption, while rising optimism about management of the Covid pandemic will favour the return of investment, according to the economic outlook study released by the organisation on Monday.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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Swiss Covid-19 pass is taking shape — this is what it might look like
Intensive work is currently underway on the last stages of the Covid certificate, which will be gradually introduced in the cantons from June 7th, according to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
“Various security analyses are being carried out to obtain an appropriate level of security”, the NCSC said. Along with experts, members of the public who have IT and cyber security knowledge are also asked to identify any weak spots in the system.
For this purpose, NCSC made the source code of the Covid certificate publicly available.
And this is what the certificate could look like.
NCSC
UBS bank will charge two francs for Bancomat withdrawals
UBS was one of the last establishments not to charge its customers when they withdraw money from a competitor's ATM, but from today this practice is over. This move should discourage UBS clients from using other banks’ ATMs.
“Customers who choose to withdraw only from our distributors will save two francs per month", said Jean-Raphaël Fontannaz, UBS spokesperson.
He also refuted the notion of free withdrawals: “This does not exist. Until now, UBS has offered its clients the fees that other banks charge for these transactions. In the current context, this position is no longer tenable”.
Only in Switzerland? Cows’ horns are on the political agenda
During the summer parliamentary session, which began on May 31st, deputies will debate various issues of importance to Switzerland, including the reform of the social security system and taxation.
But MPs will also weigh in on another crucial matter: the funding for cows’ horns. A senator is asking the Federal Council to amend the ordinance on direct payments to make an "appropriate contribution" for the maintenance of horns. The motion is supported by a number of deputies in Council of States, the upper house of the parliament.
This is not a new issue in Switzerland: in 2018, Swiss voters rejected the initiative calling for subsidies for farmers who choose not to dehorn their cows and goats.
Residents of Ticino might be able to go shopping in Italy this week
Unlike France and Germany, which allow Swiss residents who live close to the border to go shopping, Italy still has strict entry rules in place, excluding quick shopping sprees across the border.
However, the mayor of Italian border municipality of Lavena Ponte Tresa wrote a letter to the country’s Health Ministry asking for a temporary exemption to be granted to Ticino residents who live within 20 kilometres of the Italian border.
He asked that people from Ticino be allowed to shop in Italy over the coming four-day weekend, which is a holiday in the canton.
READ MORE: What are the current rules on travelling from Switzerland to neighbouring countries?
Switzerland’s economy is improving
Swiss gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 3.2 percent in 2021 and 2.9 percent in 2022, according to the latest forecasts issued by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The easing of the measures put in place to curb the pandemic in Switzerland has allowed its economy to take off.
The gradual reduction in savings is a sign of a recovery in consumption, while rising optimism about management of the Covid pandemic will favour the return of investment, according to the economic outlook study released by the organisation on Monday.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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