On Thursday the flight ban was partially lifted to repatriate British tourists from Switzerland. More flights are scheduled over the next few days.
Keystone/Salvatore Di Nolfi
The first cases of patients with the new strain of coronavirus have been confirmed in Switzerland.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/SRF/urs/sm
According to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the novel Covid-19 variant VOC-202012/01 has been identified in three samples.
Two patients are resident in Britain and tested positive for Covid in Switzerland over the past few days. News of a third patient came out on Saturday.
“All close contacts have been identified and quarantined,” a FOPH spokeswoman told Swiss public broadcaster SRF, confirming a report in the Sonntagszeitung newspaper on Saturday. In addition, in these “special cases” the contacts of the contacts will also be clarified “and quarantined if necessary. The work is ongoing”.
The health office said it had informed the cantonal authorities, all in German-speaking Switzerland. It declined to say which cantons, exactly.
New strains of coronavirus were found independently in Britain and South Africa earlier this week. The new variant is reported to have spread to several countries in Europe as well as to Australia and Singapore.
Switzerland on Monday imposed an entry ban for tourists from Britain and South Africa. Flights to both countries were suspended.
More
More
‘We were too lax’ admits Swiss interior minister on Covid-19
This content was published on
In an interview with Swiss public television, SRF, Interior Minister Alain Berset has acknowledged that Switzerland made mistakes.
However, the ban was partially lifted on Thursday to allow several flights for British tourists from Zurich and Geneva as well as for Swiss residents in Britain.
Further flights are scheduled in the coming days according to the Swiss news agency, Keystone-SDA.
An estimated 10,000 British winter tourists arrived in Switzerland since December 14. They were ordered to go into a ten-day quarantine.
The health office said it contacted passengers from Britain and South Africa via text message to inform them about the health safety regulations.
The government’s advisory Covid task forceExternal link has called for increased testing and tracing efforts to detect possible cases with the new variant of coronavirus in Switzerland.
The experts warned that the new strain made it more difficult to contain the pandemic, according to a statement published on Friday.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss authorities file criminal complaint for false signatures
This content was published on
The case of allegedly forged signatures for popular initiatives in Switzerland continues: the Federal Chancellery has filed a criminal complaint for the third time.
Swiss government must prioritise transport projects
This content was published on
Following the no to motorway expansions and additional costs for future rail infrastructure, the Swiss government must set priorities for road and rail expansion.
SMI back above 12,500 points for first time since beginning of 2022
This content was published on
The leading SMI index rose by almost 1% at times in the morning and traded above 12,500 points for the first time since the beginning of 2022.
Markus Ritter enters race for seat in Swiss government
This content was published on
Markus Ritter from the Centre Party has thrown his hat into the ring to succeed Defence Minister Viola Amherd on the seven-seat Swiss government.
Lausanne hospital produces drug from faecal bacteria
This content was published on
The University Hospital of canton Vaud (Chuv) is the first Swiss hospital to receive approval for the production of such drugs from donor stool.
Increase in heat deaths set to outweigh decrease in cold deaths
This content was published on
The growing number of heat-related deaths due to climate change will significantly exceed the decline in the number of cold-related deaths in Europe, according to a study.
Every second Swiss buys from Chinese online retailers
This content was published on
Chinese online retailers are becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland. Every other person has already made such a purchase in the past year.
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
‘Highly likely’ that variant Covid virus has reached Switzerland, say officials
This content was published on
Some of the 10,000 British holidaymakers who travelled to Switzerland in the last week are almost certainly carrying the new Covid-19 variant.
Cantonal overview tries to clear up Covid confusion for tourists
This content was published on
Switzerland Tourism wants to help winter sports enthusiasts and other visitors with a nationwide overview of cantonal regulations.
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.