The federal government has rejected the idea, saying cantons have sovereignty regarding education. Cantons Basel Country, Zug and Graubünden have already said they intend to start mass coronavirus testing in schools.
“The pandemic affects the whole of Switzerland and schools throughout the country must be closed,” Dagmar Rösler, president of the teachers’ association, told Swiss public radioExternal link, SRF, on Thursday. “Therefore, nationwide mass testing and national coordination would also make sense.”
The teachers’ association has been concerned for some time about infections in schools, she said, adding that if classroom teaching were to be maintained, additional preventive and protective measures must be taken.
Cantonal plans
In canton Zug, students and teachers at secondary and baccalaureate schools will have to undergo a saliva test twice a week from February 22. If these large-scale tests are effective, the operation could be extended to vocational schools.
Basel Country plans to test 50,000 people every week until July in schools, companies, hospitals and the cantonal administration. The aim is to detect as many people as possible who are infected but who are asymptomatic.
So far, only canton Graubünden has conducted large-scale tests. These have been carried out on a voluntary basis, notably in some schools. The canton announced on Thursday that it would extend this programme from March, carrying out saliva tests in schools at a regional level, again on a voluntary basis.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
Swiss air traffic control upgrade slows tempo for safety reasons
This content was published on
The upgrade of Switzerland’s air traffic control system will take longer than anticipated following a series of malfunctions.
Switzerland remains ‘world’s most innovative country’
This content was published on
Switzerland remains the world's most innovative country, still ahead of Sweden and the US on the WIPO Global Innovation Index.
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
Switzerland changes policy on Covid testing and quarantine
This content was published on
The Swiss government has adapted its Covid testing and quarantine policy and pledged extra funds to soften the impact of restrictions.
Uncertainty reigns as schools re-open amid coronavirus pandemic
This content was published on
Thousands of children have returned to class on Monday, as Switzerland re-opens its compulsory schools after two months of coronavirus lockdown.
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.