How long shops should stay open remains a hot topic. As we mentioned last week, a new initiative is calling for the old town to be turned into a “tourist zone” thereby allowing shops to remain open until 22.30 during workdays and 20.00 on Sundays. However this is not what most shop owners want, they are saying that they would be happy if the shops could already remain open until 19.30 Monday through Friday and until 17.00 on Saturdays, leaving the stores closed on Sundays. This might just be the middle way that works for everyone. A pilot phase will be tried out soon to see whether the longer hours appeal to the public or not.
Storm Vaian made its way through Switzerland on the night from Monday to Tuesday with strong winds, the highest recorded was 213 km/h around the Gotthard, and causing floodings in the Tessin region. A building had to be evacuated in Chiasso as the flood waters rose. Today strong winds are still to be expected in the Alps, so be cautious.
The Swiss are living healthier than they did 20 years ago. The percentage of men who do not smoke has risen from 37% to 45%. Inactive people are less than 10% of the population. People who drink daily have diminished but people who go on monthly binges (mainly 16 to 24 year olds) has doubled in the past decade. Overall the Swiss lead healthy lives and have a good life expectancy.
The Lozärner Bier is closing down. Citing smaller profit margins and a very competitive market, the Lozärner Bier company will stop production at the end of November. The company had been in a libel case when it was found out that the beer was actually being produced in Schaffhausen and not in Luzern at all, but the owners say that this is not the main reason for the business folding.
Remember that tomorrow November 1st is a holiday, so shops and businesses will be closed.
