New Covid infections are on the rise — more in some cantons than others
The number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants has gone up sharply in Switzerland, according to new data from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), which provides information each week on the progression of coronavirus throughout the country.
However, some regions are more impacted than others, the figures indicate.
For instance, western and southern Switzerland reported more cases than German-speaking regions, except for canton Glarus.
Valais and Ticino have the highest rates in Switzerland.
READ ALSO: Where can you get a Covid and flu vaccine in Switzerland this autumn
Zurich government urged to add Rottweilers to the dangerous dogs list
After a Rottweiler attacked and bit two children and three adults in Zurich last week, local elected officials are asking the cantonal government to take action — specifically, to classify this breed as dangerous.
So far, the canton’s list includes only eight breeds, though the number of dogs trained to be aggressive — like Rottweilers and Dobermans — is actually higher.
READ ALSO: Which dog breeds are restricted (or banned) in Switzerland?
The 2025 motorway vignette is released
The ‘old’ 2024 sticker is valid until December 31st (with a grace period to purchase one extended until January 31st, 2025).
After that date, the new vignette is obligatory on Switzerland’s motorways; the new version of both paper and digital sticker has an orange background, with the latter also featuring colour purple.
The 2025 vignette will still cost 40 francs and paper one can be bought at post offices, petrol stations, as well as border crossings.
The e-vignette is available through the website of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG).
Motorists — both Swiss and foreign — caught driving without the vignette on Swiss motorways will be fined 200 francs.
Switzerland’s central bank launches a competition for new banknote series
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) wants to develop a new banknote series and is inviting the population to participate in a design competition.
The theme of the new series will be "Switzerland and its altitudes.”
Specifically, the10-franc note will be dedicated the lowlands, for the 20-franc note it will be the Central Plateau, for the 50-franc note the Jura, and for the 100-franc note the foothills of the Alps. The 200-franc note will focuse on the mountains, and the 1000-franc note on the high mountains.
The competition will be held from February to July 2025, with the winner(s) to be announced in autumn of 2026.
The first banknotes will be issued from 2030, the SNB said.
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