Police report dozens of anti-lockdown demonstrators
Hundreds of people protested the lockdown for the second weekend in a row.
Keystone
Swiss police have issued reports against dozens of people who took part in demonstrations in four Swiss cities in defiance of a lockdown ban on more than five people gathering in public places.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Português
pt
Manifestantes contra isolamento também vão às ruas na Suíça
Hundreds of people rallied in Bern and Zurich on Saturday, with around 100 demonstrating against the lockdown in Basel and 80 in St Gallen. All of the protests dispersed peacefully as police decided against forcefully breaking them up.
In Bern, two groups of protestors ignored police warnings that they were in violations of social distancing rules that have been in place since mid-March. Reports have been made against “several dozen” people, a police spokesperson told the Swiss news agency Keystone/SDA.
In St Gallen, police took down the details of 14 people who had been involved in the demonstration in the eastern Swiss city. Another 18 people were added to list later in the day as the rally moved to the train station.
It was the second weekend in a row that numbers of people have defied social distancing rules to protest against the lockdown.
On Monday, some schools, shops and restaurants will be allowed to re-open, but large gatherings and many public buildings will remain closed for more weeks.
There have been more than 30,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Switzerland and over 1,800 deaths.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Two decades after tsunami, Swiss tourists flock to Southeast Asia
This content was published on
Twenty years after a catastrophic tsunami in Southeast Asia, the region is again a top destination for Swiss, including at Christmas.
Swiss forests better equipped for storms 25 years after Lothar
This content was published on
Twenty-five years after Hurricane Lothar wreaked havoc in Switzerland, the country’s forests are now better prepared, experts say.
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
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.
Read more
More
Swiss fear coronavirus curbs intrude on personal rights
This content was published on
A poll shows concerns about loss of personal freedoms are growing in Switzerland following weeks of restrictions on public life.
Demonstrators defy ban to protest against lockdown
This content was published on
Two groups of protestors had set up in Bern on Saturday afternoon, for a second week in a row, despite a ban on more than five people gathering in public places. Some were carrying posters with slogans such as “Freedom Yes – No Constraints”. Police calls to disperse were met with boos. Police said they…
Civil rights group questions Swiss ban on public demonstrations
This content was published on
Amnesty International has criticised a clampdown on public demonstrations in Switzerland, a number of which were broken up by police on May 1.
This content was published on
Demonstrators unhappy with measures to fight Covid-19 rallied in front of the parliament building in the Swiss capital on Saturday afternoon.
This content was published on
Covid-19 has forced trade unions, parties and social movements to come up with new forms of mobilisation, with protests moving online.
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.