Swiss announce gradual easing of virus restrictions

GENEVA: Switzerland announced on Thursday a three-stage easing of the restrictions imposed to suppress the Covid-19 pandemic, with some shops and services allowed to reopen from April 27.

Officials had stopped short of imposing full confinement in emergency measures introduced last month to combat the new coronavirus, which has killed more than 1,000 people in the Alpine country. Those restrictions will be gradually eased in three stages: on April 27, May 11 and finally on June 8, the government said.

“We have been able to slow down the infections, the hospitals are not overcrowded, which is good news, and we can now foresee some relaxation,” said Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga. Doctors’ surgeries, dentists, creches, hairdressers and massage and beauty salons will be able to reopen on April 27 as long as the safety of employees and their customers can be guaranteed, the government said.


Hospitals will be able to perform all procedures, including non-urgent ones. Mourners outside the immediate family will once more be able to attend funerals, while food shops that also sell other goods will be able to reopen the whole store.