In view of the current situation the government held a crisis meeting today and have sent the cantons and other social partners the measures they wish to implement as of this coming Friday for approval.
Border controls
The border sanitary measures and entry restrictions will continuously adapted to the current situation.
Currently 24 countries are on the BAG’s red list: Angola, Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Hongkong, Israel Japan, Lesotho, Malawi, Mosambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, United Kingdon, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
People coming into Switzerland from these countries will need to fill out the electronic travelling document, as well as be in possession of a valid negative PCR certificate regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not, as well as quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.
Extension of the obligation to obtain a certificate
The certificate requirement is to be extended to all indoor events open to the public and to all indoor sports and cultural activities.
The exemption for groups of less than 30 people will be removed.
A certificate requirement is to apply to private meetings with 11 or more persons.
The certificate requirement for outdoor events is to apply from 300 participants; currently from 1000 participants.
Extension of the mask obligation
For all indoor areas of publicly accessible places with certificate obligation inside a mask obligation is to be introduced additionally.
Where mask wearing is not possible (catering offers), a seating obligation for consumption should apply.
If masks cannot be worn during cultural and sports activities, contact details must be recorded, as is currently the case in discotheques.
Measures at the workplace
Variant 1: Mandatory masks for all employees in indoor areas where several people are present.
Variant 2: Home office obligation for employees who are neither vaccinated nor recovered. When they are present in the company, masks should be compulsory in indoor rooms.
Variant 3: General home office obligation and mask obligation in indoor rooms where several people are present. Mandatory repetitive testing for employees.
Repetitive testing at schools
All schools in compulsory education and upper secondary education should be required to offer repetitive testing.
Shorter validity period of test certificates.
PCR tests will no longer be valid for 72 hours, but only 48 hours, and rapid antigen tests will be reduced from 48 hours to 24 hours. The measures are initially to be limited until January 24, 2022.
Similar measures as in Austria (only vaccinated and recovered people being allowed in certain shops, restaurants and events) are not being considered by the Swiss government. These suggestions will be rediscussed on Wednesday and could be put into place as of this coming Friday.
Booster vaccination
As of December 1st anyone over the age of 16 wishing to get a booster can do so. These are the places offering booster vaccinations:
Vaccination Centre Messe Luzern: Moderna; Vaccination Centre Willisau: Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech; Vaccination Centre Hochdorf: Moderna; LUKS Luzern: Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech; LUKS Sursee: Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech; LUKS Wolhusen: Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech; Decentralised Vaccination centres in the various towns, the vaccination truck and boat all offer Moderna.
You can sign up for your booster vaccination here.
You can find out more by going to this governmental website.
