Switzerland

Switzerland on course for worst downturn in decades

Switzerland's economy will suffer its worst downturn in decades during 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic damages output and jobs, the government said on Wednesday, but the downturn will be less…

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Passengers to pay a CO2 tax for flights departing Switzerland

The Swiss parliament has moved to impose an environmental tax on airline tickets, as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives…

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Photo Story: Leisure facilities reopen in Switzerland

Visitor look at Naga, a nine-years old Komodo Dragon, being tended by a keeper in a terrarium at the Aquatis, the largest fresh water aquarium-vivarium in Europe, in Lausanne, on…

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Lockdown led to big jump in worker productivity in Switzerland

Thanks to more focus and flexibility, productivity per worker increased by up to 16% during the Covid-19 lockdown in Switzerland, a study has calculated. The study by the Swiss Trade…

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Photo Story: Renovation works in Switzerland on the Hammetschwand Elevator

Specialists of the cable car manufacturer Inauen-Schaetti work on the renovation of the Hammetschwand lift on the Buergenstock, at 1125m above sea level, Switzerland. In summer 2019, during a routine…

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Switzerland says ‘premature’ to lift entry restrictions at Italian border

The Swiss authorities say it’s still too early to lift entry restrictions with Italy on June 3, the date on which its southern neighbour will open its borders. The Federal…

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Photo Story: The Zurich Grossmunster illuminated

The Zurich great minster is illuminated by light artist Gerry Hofstetter on late Saturday, 30 May 2020, in Zurich, Switzerland. Via EPA-EFE/ALEXANDRA WEY

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Switzerland in a sharp recession

Switzerland is in a sharp recession, the KOF Economic Institute said on Friday, as the coronavirus crisis brought many businesses to a halt, plunging KOF's forward-looking economic barometer to its…

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Photo Story: Office disinfection in Switzerland

The Roveo robot of the company Rovenso disinfects surfaces in an office with UV-C rays in Villaz-Saint-Pierre, canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. The Fribourg-based start-up company Rovenso has adapted its robot…

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Companies in Switzerland must pay share of rent for employees working from home

The Swiss German-language paper Tages-Anzeiger reports that Switzerland’s top court has ruled that employers are required to contribute to employees’ rent payments if they are expected to work from home.…

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Photo Story: Daily life amid coronavirus pandemic in Lausanne

People wearing a protective face mask are shopping duing the reopening of the Saturday's market during the state of emergency of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Lausanne, Switzerland, 23…

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Poll finds Swiss want tougher mask rules on public transport

A growing majority of Swiss residents favour an official order for passengers in public transport to wear protective masks but very few appear to do so voluntarily. An opinion poll…

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Swiss to re-open borders with neighbouring countries but not Italy

Switzerland is planning to re-open its borders with Germany, France and Austria as part of a gradual loosening of restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic imposed in March. Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said…

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Photo Story: Greeting in times of a pandemic

Teachers Thomas Balsiger (L) and Bianca Betschen (R), greet student Yanira Ribeiro Perez (C), at the Neufeld primary school in Thun, Switzerland, 11 May 2020. Because of further relaxation during…

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Switzerland starts lifting coronavirus restrictions

Switzerland from today started relaxing the restrictions that were introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic. Attending masses is still banned in Switzerland due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19…

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Photo Story: Nature Museum in St. Gallen prepares for reopening to the public

A museum technician uses yellow-black tape on exhibits for a tactile experience at the Nature Museum in St. Gallen, Switzerland during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The Museum will open…

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Swiss must leave phone numbers in bars and restaurants because of Covid-19

People in Switzerland will be able to go to bars and restaurants again from May 11, but only if they leave their phone numbers, according to an anti-coronavirus safety plan for the sector.…

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Prince Andrew facing legal action over unpaid debt worth £5m

Prince Andrew is caught in a dispute over a Swiss chalet amid reports legal proceedings have been launched against him over an unpaid bill of £5m. Le Temps newspaper said…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Verbier, Switzerland

A empty street of the ski resort is pictured during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Verbier, Switzerland. Countries around the world are taking increased measures to stem the widespread…

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Switzerland says distancing measures could last another two years

Unexpected discoveries about a virus scientists still don't know well could slow down the development of a safe and effective vaccine, Matthias Egger said in an interview published on Sunday. Egger,…

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Photo Story: Schooling in Switzerland during times of pandemic

Swiss teacher Christophe Blanc gives an economics lesson in his class in front of pictures of his students at the private school 'Ecole Ardevaz', amid measures to curb the spread…

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Lockdown restrictions eased in Switzerland

Customers observe social distancing in a do-it-yourself store in Mels, Switzerland, 27 April 2020. From Monday, 27 April 2020, facilities such as hairdressing, massage, tattoo or beauty salons, DIY stores…

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Switzerland facing biggest economic slump since 1975

In a revised forecast in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, federal authorities predict GDP will contract by 6.7% in 2020 and recover slowly in 2021. On Thursday, the State Secretariat…

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Face masks to remain optional for Swiss

The Swiss government has decided not to impose a general obligation for residents to wear face masks as the country starts relaxing coronavirus restrictions next week. Interior Minister Alain Berset said…

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Photo Story: Swiss soldiers patrol Swiss-French border

Swiss soldiers patrol behind concrete blocks at the Swiss-French border of the Greenway as an additional measure, during the Swiss state of emergency due to the coronavirus COVID-19, in Thonex…

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Swiss scientists optimist swift Covid-19 vaccine within reach

A team of researchers at the University of Bern is hoping to be the first to produce a vaccine against Covid-19 and inoculate the entire Swiss population in October. “We…

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Swiss take aid to Africa as part of Covid repatriation flights

Switzerland has delivered humanitarian supplies to the Democratic Republic of the Congo before repatriating tourists stranded in central Africa due to the coronavirus pandemic. On board the plane which flew…

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Photo Story: Swiss residents thanked for respecting the confinement

A chocolate Easter bunny pictured in a letterbox during the state of emergency of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Daillens, Switzerland, 09 April 2020. In order to thank its…

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Swiss hospitals reportedly running out of money

Cash-strapped Swiss hospitals, in the front line of the fight against coronavirus, are calling for financial help and an end to the ban on non-emergency procedures which has sapped revenue, reports…

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Swiss coronavirus cases top 21,000

Switzerland’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has risen by 19 to 559, the health ministry said on Sunday. The number of people testing positive increased to 21,100 from 20,278…

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Swiss death toll rises to 484

The death toll in Switzerland has risen to 484 while the number of positive cases stands at 19,903, the Swiss government has said. The country has closed schools, shuttered many…

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University of Zurich intervenes to relieve strain on family doctors

The University of Zurich has repurposed its Travel Clinic as a COVID-19 test center. Designed to complement the tests currently offered by family doctors in Canton Zurich, it is geared…

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Photo Story: Messages of hope on the Matterhorn mountain

The iconic Matterhorn mountain is illuminated by Swiss light artist Gerry Hofstetter aiming to send messages of hope, support and solidarity to the ones sufferings from the global coronavirus disease…

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Switzerland restrict exports of protective equipment

Switzerland has introduced temporary restrictions on the export of protective equipment to head off shortages among medical staff and others fighting the coronavirus outbreak. Licences will now be needed to…

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Swiss coronavirus cases rise to over 8,000

Swiss health authorities reported 956 more coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of people tested positive in Switzerland and Liechtenstein to 8,060 as of midday on Monday. The number…

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Swiss army prepares to deploy to help coronavirus response

Switzerland’s militia army is getting ready to increase its support in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected over 1,500 people nationwide. For the first time, the Swiss…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: La Tzoumaz, Switzerland

Skiers take part in the Skicolor event where they are sprayed with biodegradable colour powders as part of carnival celebrations in the alpine resort of La Tzoumaz, Switzerland. Photo:…

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Switzerland reports first coronavirus death, as Germany cases jump by 109

A 74-year-old woman in western Switzerland has died after contracting the new coronavirus, the country’s first death from the rapidly spreading disease outbreak, regional police said on Thursday. The woman…

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Swiss scientists claim coronavirus breakthrough, World Bank pledges $12bn coronavirus aid package

Researchers at the University of Bern have perfected a technique to produce synthetic clones of the new coronavirus strain much faster. The method should allow researchers to deactivate individual genes…

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Swiss army on effective quarantine

Switzerland's army has been put under effective quarantine after a soldier tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus, Euronews reports. It announced [in French] personnel would be banned from leaving military bases…

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Switzerland to tell Swiss not to kiss in new recommendations to control Coronavirus

Switzerland’s federal government will provide new recommendations on coronavirus in the coming days. It will advise people to avoid shaking hands and greeting each other with kisses and recommend that…

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Photo story: Geneva Motor Show cancelled following coronavirus concerns

The 90th edition of the International Motor Show, which was scheduled to begin on 05 March 2020, has been cancelled due to the advancement of the (Covid-19) coronavirus disease in…

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Nespresso stops Guatemala purchases after child labour allegations

An investigation by Britain’s Channel Four alleges links between Swiss coffee brand Nespresso and child labour in Guatemala. The company says it has stopped purchases from the region and is…

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Swiss police uncover people smuggling ring

Swiss police have charged five people in connection with extensive people smuggling operations. Three men living in canton Bern are accused of having illegally transported or organised the smuggling of…

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Libyan peace talks stuck in quagmire

Rival Libyan politicians met on Wednesday for U.N.-sponsored political talks in Geneva aimed at ending the latest round of fighting over the country’s capital, Tripoli. Yet just hours later, the…

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Photo Story: Traditional carnival in Switzerland

Masked revellers parade through the streets during the carnival season in Einsiedeln, Switzerland, 24 February 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/URS FLUEELER

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Cryptocurrency gaining popularity among Swiss as an investment

Cryptocurrencies as an investment class is becoming more popular among Swiss savers. Young people in particular are increasingly venturing into bitcoin and other digital money. A survey conducted by the market research institute Intervista on…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Sils, Switzerland

People enjoy themselves on the Silsersee (lake Sils), covered with so-called "black ice", in Sils, Switzerland. Black ice, sometimes called clear ice, is a thin coating of glazed ice on…

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Fossil of Extinct Three Metre Giant Turtle found in South America

Paleobiologists from the University of Zurich (UZH) have discovered the fossils of an extinct giant freshwater turtle that weighed a ton and had a shell nearly three metres long in…

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Photo story: Storm Ciara hits Switzerland

A view of a house damaged by fallen trees after a storm, in Montmollin, Val-de-Ruz, Switzerland, 10 February 2020. Severe warnings have been issued for Western and Northern Europe as…

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Swatch cancels Zurich watch event over coronavirus fears

Swatch Group has called off its “Time to Move” watch fair in Zurich, due to take place at the end of February, amid fears over the new coronavirus outbreak. “Considering…

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Swiss ski resort accepts bitcoin for settling tax bills

The iconic ski resort of Zermatt has become the second local authority in Switzerland to allow residents to pay their tax bills using the cryptocurrency bitcoin. Zermatt, which lies in…

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Two people suspected of coronavirus infection in Switzerland as country tighten rules

Two suspected cases of coronavirus infection have been quarantined in a Zurich hospital, as Switzerland tightens reporting rules. Two people are in isolation in a Zurich hospital suspected of infection…

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Photo Story: Two died in light plane crash in Switzerland

A Swiss policeman investigates the site of a plane crash, a Piper Archer PA-28, in Saint-Legier, Switzerland, 23 January 2020. Two people are reported killed in the small aircraft crash,…

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Switzerland remains most attractive country for skilled workers

Switzerland continues to lead the world in talent competitiveness, having held the number one spot since the annual Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) was launched in 2013. According to the…

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Photo Story: Trump in Davos

In the photo below (L-R) WEF co-founder Hilde Schwab, Senior Advisor to the US President Ivanka Trump, US President Donald J. Trump and WEF founder Klaus Schwab arrive during the…

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Oxfam reveals world’s richest 2,000 people hold more than poorest 4.6 billion combined

The world’s 2,153 billionaires have more wealth than the 4.6 billion people who make up 60 percent of the planet’s population, reveals a new report from Oxfam today ahead of…

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