Government resists pressure to extend free Covid testing
The government is sticking to its decision to end free Covid testing for asymptomatic people as of October 11. The money “saved” will go into a new push to boost vaccination rates, it said on Friday.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
Español
es
Gobierno suizo somete a consulta “ofensiva de vacunación”
The decision comes after weeks of pressure from political parties, parliamentary committees, and various organisations, who wanted to keep testing free beyond Monday after next.
The government, however, after consulting cantons and social partners, would not be budged: the “very high costs” (CHF50 million ($54 million) per week) of providing free antigen testing would no longer be born collectively, it wrote on FridayExternal link.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Exceptions will be children under the age of 16, and – until the end of November – those who have only received the first of the two vaccination doses and who are thus ineligible for a Covid certificate.
Despite the positive trend of lower case numbers, the approach of winter and the low vaccination rate meant it was too soon to ease up on Covid measures, Health Minister Alain Berset said at a press conference on Friday.
Corona “vouchers”
The minister also announced a new offensive to boost Switzerland’s comparatively low vaccination rate of 57% – “one of the worst in Europe”, said Berset, who cited countries such as Portugal, Denmark and Ireland as positive examples.
The CHF150 million plan wants to convince people who are undecided, notably through a nationwide “vaccination week” to share information about the safety and benefits of the jabs.
In addition, 170 new “vaccination buses” will travel across the country in the coming weeks, and 1,700 advisors will speak by telephone, online, or in person to those with concerns about the jab.
On Friday, the government also said that as of October 11 a central electronic application office will process Covid certificate applications by anyone who has been vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This means that “the cantons will not have to set up their own platforms” and it should mean a clearer procedure for tourists who arrive to Switzerland and want to get into, say, restaurants and museums.
In addition, “the transition period for accepting other vaccination certificates, which was to end by October 10, will be extended to October 24”. More information can be found here.External link
Lastly, the government wants the public to get involved: anybody who manages to convince a friend, neighbour or family member to go ahead with the vaccination will be eligible for a voucher of CHF50.
Berset maintained that getting vaccinated remained “a free choice” but that it was “our only chance to get out of this pandemic”.
The government estimated that 90-95% of over-65-year-olds and 80% of 18- to 65-year-olds would need to be vaccinated before all restrictions could be lifted. Currently the rates are 88.5% and 71%, respectively.
The plan will be discussed by cantonal authorities during a consultation period before being decided on October 13.
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Sylvain Saudan, ‘skier of the impossible’, dies aged 87
This content was published on
The Swiss father of extreme skiing pioneered descents from the Alps to the Himalayas – and became the sport’s first star.
Hayek family buys additional Swatch shares for nearly CHF11 million
This content was published on
Following the acquisition of registered shares worth over CHF20.6 million on Monday, the Hayek family made another purchase on Tuesday.
Suicide capsule to be used in Switzerland this year, says euthanasia organisation
This content was published on
The organisation “The Last Resort” has confirmed that the suicide capsule Sarco is to be used in Switzerland. This should happen this year, it said.
Ukrainian children flown to Switzerland for cancer treatment
This content was published on
The Swiss air rescue service Rega flew two Ukrainian children with cancer to Switzerland from a hospital in Kyiv hit by Russian missiles.
Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF10 million for victims of extreme weather
This content was published on
The money raised will be used to help those affected by the recent storms and flooding in the cantons of Ticino, Graubünden, and Valais.
Swiss giant Roche given green light for lung cancer drug in Canada
This content was published on
According to a recent study, Roche’s Alecensaro reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 76% compared to chemotherapy alone.
Swiss luxury watch market hit hard by China-led slump
This content was published on
Sales of Swiss-made luxury watches are in sharp retreat as nervous consumers reconsider splashing out on expensive timepieces and demand slumps.
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.