They accused the government of introducing mandatory vaccination “through the back door”.
On Wednesday the Swiss government announced that it would extend the use of the Covid certificate (which shows a person is vaccinated, has tested negative or recovered from the coronavirus) to indoor public spaces such as restaurants, cultural events and leisure activities. The measure, which was widely expected and applies to individuals aged 16 and over, will come into force next Monday and remain valid until the end of January 2022.
More
More
Swiss government limits access to restaurants to Covid certificate holders
This content was published on
The government has extended the use of the Covid certificate to indoor public spaces such as restaurants, cinemas and fitness centres.
The protest was organized – and promoted on social media – by several organisations that have long fought against official Covid-19 measures during the pandemic. Demonstrators held up Swiss and cantonal flags and marched through the city centre. Some also held up banners bearing slogans protesting against the certificate or Covid vaccinations.
The demonstration was accompanied by two police vehicles. Bern cantonal police said on TwitterExternal link that officers undertook checks on several individuals “in connection with the various provocations around the demonstration”. In nine cases people were ordered to leave. The protest was over by 9pm.
Justification
Meanwhile Interior Minister Alain Berset, who is responsible for health matters, has been giving interviews defending the certificate extension decision.
He underlined that the virus was circulating widely in Switzerland, causing a high incidence rate, with about 3,500 new cases a day being recorded.
“There is currently a real danger that our hospital system will be overloaded,” Berset told Swiss public television SRFExternal link on Wednesday evening. “That is the reality. The alternative to the certificate would be months of closures. So the certificate is not the problem – it is the solution. It allows us to regain our freedom.”
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Swiss committee wants to end government resignations during legislative term
This content was published on
Members of the Federal Council should no longer be able to leave office before the end of their term, according to a House of Representatives committee.
Swiss government seat: Ritter and Pfister nominated to succeed Amherd
This content was published on
Markus Ritter from St Gallen and Martin Pfister from Zug were officially nominated by the Centre Party on Friday to succeed Defence Minister Viola Amherd.
Top Swiss court rejects Russian request for administrative tax assistance
This content was published on
There is currently no reason to transmit banking information to the Russian Federation, the Swiss Federal Court has ruled.
After strike by radiologists, doctors demonstrate in Bern
This content was published on
Following a strike by radiology technicians in Fribourg, doctors, vets, dentists and chiropractors expressed their frustration on Friday outside parliament in the Swiss capital.
Eurovision and bleak world situation are top themes at Basel carnival
This content was published on
The Eurovision Song Contest and the gloomy global situation are among the main themes of Basel Fasnacht (carnival) this year.
Prices of Swiss investment properties continue to rise despite stagnating rents
This content was published on
Although rents in Switzerland stagnated or fell in the final quarter of last year, prices for investment properties continued to rise. Both apartment buildings and office properties have become more expensive.
Probe into wrong Swiss pension figures clears federal office
This content was published on
Employees of the Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) did not breach their duty of care when calculating pension prospects, an investigation has concluded.
This content was published on
Hotels in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino welcomed significantly more guests last December than in the same month of the previous 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
Health experts cautious about ‘stable’ Covid situation
This content was published on
Experts say the number of new Covid-19 cases in Switzerland has stagnated at a high level while the situation in hospitals remains tense.
Swiss finance minister skeptical about wider use of Covid certificate
This content was published on
In an interview with the SonntagsBlick newspaper published on Sunday, he said it would be “difficult” to require the population to present a Covid certificate when entering bars or restaurants. The finance minister, who hails from the conservative right Swiss People’s Party, said requiring a health pass was viable for large events but harder to…
Thousands demonstrate against Covid-19 restrictions in Lucerne
This content was published on
A demonstration against the restrictions linked to the coronavirus saw several thousand people gather in central Swiss city of Lucerne.
After the summer break, Swiss schools see a spike in Covid cases
This content was published on
The weekly SonntagsZeitung conducted a survey of the 13 German-speaking cantons and found almost all registered a significant uptick in cases.
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.