Geneva introduces partial lockdown

Hairdressers and beauty salons in Geneva will have to shut on Monday at 7pm until at least November 29 Keystone

Faced with the worsening Covid-19 situation, canton Geneva will enter a state of semi-confinement from 7pm on Monday. Bars, restaurants and non-essential shops will be closed; schools will remain open.

Cinemas, museums, concert halls, gyms, swimming pools and ice rinks are also affected by these closures, the cantonal government said in a statementExternal link on Sunday. Nightclubs had already been forced to close. Take-aways and home delivery remain allowed. These measures will remain in effect until November 29.

Hairdressers, beauty salons and tattooists are also affected. Day nurseries and schools will remain open.

The cantonal government reminded people that gatherings of more than five people in public spaces, particularly in public squares, busy walkways, parks and near bodies water were banned.

Also banned were public and private events involving more than five people, both inside and outside, including within the family circle. Exceptions include households of more than five people, weddings of up to five persons and funerals of up to 50 people.

Outbreak

In its statement it said canton Geneva was facing an outbreak of cases and hospitalisations due to Covid-19.

“On November 1, 474 people are being treated by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), including 56 in intensive care beds (intensive and intermediate care). As a reminder, in mid-October, the HUG had 78 hospitalisations, including 13 in intensive care beds,” it said.

“The figures show that the situation is severely worsening. Over the past few days, more than 1,000 people have tested positive for coronavirus on a daily basis (peaking at 1,338 positive cases on October 30).”