Around 6,000 soldiers were deployed to support health personnel, police and border guards.
Keystone / Jean-christophe Bott
The military has officially ended its involvement in relief measures associated with the coronavirus pandemic after 107 days on duty.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ac
On Tuesday, the last 50 military personnel still serving in the CORONA 20 taskforce – which supports border control and customs operations – will be released from their duties. This marks the official end of the support of the Swiss Armed Forces, ordered by the governing Federal Council on March 16.
Approximately 6,000 military personnel were temporarily deployed across the country and carried out more than 300 missions at the request of the cantons. These included military health workers, as well as regular army soldiers who assisted cantonal police forces and border guards. In total, those deployed completed some 320,000 days of service.
In addition to the army, around 24,000 men and women from the civil defence force participated in the pandemic response. They assisted medical and nursing staff in hospitals and took on tasks including triage, cleaning and disinfection work, and the provision of protective equipment.
They also set up emergency hospitals, consultation centres and telephone hotlines for the population, and provided transportation for people and equipment.
The civil defence force was especially active in densely populated cantons that were seriously affected by the coronavirus, namely the canton of Vaud (about 70,000 service days), Geneva (40,000), Zurich (32,000) and Ticino (12,000). In April, at the height of the mission, some 5,000 civil defence personnel were deployed each week.
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
Meet the foreigners who make up a quarter of the Swiss population
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?
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Hotel rates already spiking ahead of 2025 Eurovision in Basel
This content was published on
A week after Basel was chosen to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year, hotel prices are soaring in neighboring cities.
Swiss Post restructure going ahead as planned, says CEO
This content was published on
The postal service is going ahead with planned cuts to its nationwide network of branches, regardless of political initiatives, says Robert Cirillo.
Swiss athletes grab marathon double gold at Paralympics
This content was published on
Catherine Debrunner won her fifth gold at the Paris Games with a victory in the women’s marathon on Sunday, while Marcel Hug took gold in the men’s.
Helicopter evacuations from Saas Valley to continue on Monday
This content was published on
Some 550 tourists were flown out of the Saas valley on Saturday. After further clearance work on Sunday, evacuations will resume on Monday.
Swiss government pensions come under pressure in parliament
This content was published on
A parliamentary committee is favour of scrapping the generous pensions enjoyed by former government ministers and federal judges.
This content was published on
Appointed in April as the EU's incoming ambassador, Slovak man Miroslav Lajčák will ultimately not take up the post in Bern this year.
SNB boss: as a leading financial hub, Swiss must accept risks
This content was published on
The outgoing head of the Swiss National Bank, Thomas Jordan, says the country should aim to preserve its leading financial position.
Top Swiss court rules against prostitution exclusion zone
This content was published on
The Federal Court ruled that a Swiss town went too far in banning prostitution within a 100-metre radius of certain sensitive locations.
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 militia soldiers get historic call up to fight coronavirus
This content was published on
The Swiss government is mobilising up to 8,000 members of the military to help the cantons fight the rapidly spreading coronavirus, Covid-19.
This content was published on
Switzerland’s head of the army Thomas Süssli wants to increase the number of women in military roles from the present 0.8% to 10% by 2030.
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.