The Swiss will need COVID certificates to go to bars, restaurants

ZURICH, Sept 8 (Reuters) – People will have to show a COVID state certificate to enter bars, restaurants and fitness centers in Switzerland from Monday, the government ordered, in a move to ease pressure on hospitals struggling to cope with a fourth wave of infections.

Last week, the government had kept the movement on fire, expected to last four months initially, amid a public debate over whether it was going too far to infringe on people’s freedom. Read more

But with the situation in hospitals reduced and some postponements of operations, the cabinet moved forward with the plan on Wednesday.

“The situation remains unstable with more than 3,500 cases today,” Health Minister Alain Berset told a news conference in Bern. “The alternative is to close it all down and we will do everything we can to prevent it.”

The Swiss COVID certificate provides evidence of vaccination, recovery from infection or negative test result.

The hospitality industry erupted in the move, saying it would hurt sales just as the pandemic showed signs of relaxation.

“This decision is disproportionate and leads to blatant treatment of population inequality,” said Casimir Platzer, chairman of the GastroSuisse hospitality and dining sector lobby, demanding that the state compensate companies for the loss of income.

Its widespread use has focused on the fact that the number of new infections in Switzerland and neighboring Liechtenstein show the highest incidence rate in continental Europe.

More than 800,000 have contracted respiratory disease since the pandemic began. The death toll has exceeded 10,500.

Just over half of the Swiss population has been completely vaccinated, lagging behind in the rate of other European countries.

The government is also reflecting on new travel restrictions for people who have not been vaccinated or recovered from the virus. These could include quarantine or COVID-19 testing.

It may require people to provide a negative test result to enter the country, regardless of where or how they arrive.

Report by Michael Shields and Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi, edited by Kirsti Knolle and Angus MacSwan

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