The government will be meeting today to decide on whether to keep Covid tests free or not. There has been a lot of pushback from political parties on this topic with some parties suggesting that so long as the Covid certificate is in place, tests should be free. The most likely outcome probably is that an extension period of a month or two will be given so that everyone who wants to can get vaccinated, along with exemptions for certain people (such as pregnant women under 12 weeks).
Meanwhile it seems likely that people who have recovered from the virus will be considered immune for up to 12 months. This is what international studies are showing and the Swiss health department is looking into prolonging the certificate for those people from 6 to 12 months.
Restaurants in Lucerne are getting creative with how to make sure that the greater number of people have access to them. The Schweizerhof Hotel now has its own testing centre, in the old Rigi train wagon no less. They offer tests for everyone who wishes them, as does the Astoria hotel on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime and Friday and Saturday evening. There also is a new testing centre for families in Lucerne and Nottwil which has availibility leading up to autumn holidays. you can find them on their website coronatest24.ch
In order to clear out a munitions storage area in the Bernese mountains, the 160 inhabitants from the village of Mitholz had been informed that they would have to evacuate their homes in 10 years time for at least 10 years. Now, it turns out that they may get a reprieve as the government is looking to see whether everyone needs to be evacuated or only those who live really close to the munition depot.
It is going to be a glorious sunny day tomorrow before rain returns on Sunday. Enjoy the weekend!
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