Swiss ski resorts need permits from cantonal authorities to open.
Keystone / Jean-christophe Bott
Solothurn has become the last Swiss canton to open its ski resorts, despite what it says is a worrying coronavirus situation.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jc
Resorts in this north-western canton can operate as of Saturday, after its authorities granted the necessary permits. The canton had on December 21 rejected permit applications, but said on Friday that since all other cantons had opened their ski areas in the meantime, Solothurn ski lift operators would now also be able to operate.
The canton nevertheless said that “the number of cases is still too high” and that the capacities of hospitals were still at their limit.
As one of several requirements, the canton demands that ski resort employees who are in direct contact with customers undergo a weekly coronavirus test.
The federal government announced in early December that ski areas were being allowed to open but that resorts would need permits from cantonal governments as of December 22.
“The prerequisite is that the epidemiological situation so allows, and that hospitals, contact tracing services and testing sites have sufficient capacity,” it said.
The federal government has not fixed any limits on the number of visitors allowed into resorts. But all enclosed ski transport, like gondolas and trains, is limited to two-thirds capacity, and cantons have a duty to monitor compliance.
Health Minister Alain Berset said the decision to keep Swiss resorts open was designed “above all for people living in Switzerland…not beyond that”.
Switzerland’s approach has led to friction with some neighbouring countries.
More
More
Swiss ski resorts to remain open
This content was published on
The Swiss government has decided to allow ski areas to open during the holidays for domestic visitors, despite pressure from abroad.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
New anti-corona measures: restaurants closed, ski areas open
This content was published on
Switzerland to close restaurants, bars for a month from Tuesday to curb the spread of the coronavirus, ski areas remain open, the government says.
Swiss resorts struggle with safety measures for Covid-free slopes
This content was published on
Swiss ski resorts have ploughed ahead with preparations for the year-end holiday season despite pressure from neighbouring countries on Switzerland.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.