Plan to reopen Switzerland by end of April 2021

A light at the end of the tunnel? In view of the lower and further reducing infection and fatality rates, the Swiss federal council announced a plan to exit the current COVID restrictions.

Despite less than 2% of the population having been fully vaccinated, on 17th February the federal council announced a cautious easing of measures to allow society to begin to reopen and activity to resume, although measures will continue to prevent a third wave of the disease. The plan is dependent as much on statistics as it is on dates.

Phase 1 – 1st March:

• All shops, libraries, zoos and botanical gardens to reopen.
• Leisure and sports facilities can resume operations.
• Gatherings of up to 15 people will be allowed.

People under 18 can take part in sport and cultural activities with few restrictions.

Phase 2: March-April will allow further opening of cultural and sporting events, and outdoor dining. this phase will depend on:

• Test positivity is below 5%,
• < 25% of ICU beds occupied by Covid-19 patients,
• 7-day R-value <= 1
• 14-day infection rate lower than on 1 March.

Some cantons are considering opening restaurants already in March. The federal council’s next review of this plan is to take place on 24th February.

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