SWITZERLAND
/The following information has been collected and collated by convergence consulting in collaboration with our in-country Global Alliance Partner. Please let us know if you have additional questions by emailing us at COVID-19@cc-global.com.
1. Does your country’s health authority have guidelines or requirements for when COVID-19 cases are classified work-related and reported as a workplace illness?
Yes, the Swiss Insurance Fund (SUVA) stated that coronavirus can be considered as an occupational disease. However to do so requires evidence of a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace than in the rest of the population; i.e. a more accidental contamination at the workplace is not sufficient. A significantly increased risk can be accepted if personnel in hospitals, and laboratories come into direct contact with infected persons or materials during their work. Similarly, employees in nursing homes, homes for the elderly or disabled may be exposed to a significantly increased risk when directly caring for infected residents. Activities that are not aimed at the care and treatment of infected persons, such as sales staff, hotel cleaning staff, and police, cannot be recognized as an occupational disease.
For more information and details about the requirements and guidelines described above visit:https://www.suva.ch/de-CH/material/Factsheets/corona-faq-fragen-und-antworten
2. Is there information on the timing of “return to work” and the process for a worker to return, i.e. examination by a physician, or a negative COVID test?
Currently there are no retur to work guidelines.
3. Does your country’s health authority have COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for the public and/or for business? If so, please list them below and how long they will be in place.
Status as of June 2, 2020.
Large events with more than 1000 people are prohibited until at least the end of August.
On March 16, 2020, comprehensive measures with a partial lockdown were announced. Among other things; all shops (except for food), markets, restaurants, bars, and entertainment and leisure facilities must remain closed. In addition, and a ban on private and public events also applies. Schools have been closed. Hairdressing salons and beauty salons must also be closed. Passenger traffic to the surrounding states in Switzerland is restricted.In addition, restriction related to the import and export of medical goods with relevance for COVID-19 were put into force.
The phase of relaxation measures is currently underway and will take place in the following stages:
o Since 27 April, hairdressers, beauty salons, DIY stores, flower shops and garden centers have been allowed to reopen. A protection concept corresponding to the requirements of the authorities must be implemented.
o Since 11 May, shops, restaurants, markets, fitness studios, museums and libraries may reopen. Primary and secondary school teaching may again take place on site. A protection concept corresponding to the requirements of the authorities must be implemented.
o Private and public events are allowed up to 30 people since May 30 and church services and celebrations of all religions since May 28.
o On 6 June, secondary, vocational and higher education institutions will be allowed to hold public events again. At the same time, entertainment and leisure facilities such as museums, libraries, botanical gardens and zoos, mountain transport, swimming pools, wellness facilities, erotic businesses are to be reopened and the ban on public gatherings relaxed. On 6 June, the limit for groups of four will be lifted for restaurants. Billiards or live music are again possible. However, for groups of more than four people, the establishments are obliged to include the contact details of one guest per table. Sitting remains compulsory. Closing time is at midnight. This also applies to nightclubs and discos, where attendance lists are required and a maximum of 300 participants per evening are possible. A protection concept corresponding to the requirements of the authorities must be implemented.
o Elimination of border controls against Germany, France and Austria on 15 June. 2020 and elimination of entry restrictions for all Schengen countries on 6 July 2020.
In a third step, expected on 8 June (to be confirmed by the Federal Council), secondary, vocational and higher education institutions will be allowed to hold public events. At the same time, entertainment and leisure facilities such as museums, libraries, botanical gardens and zoos are to be reopened and the ban on public gatherings relaxed.
All companies and facilities accessible to the public must draft and implement a protection plan that meets the requirements of the authorities.
People considered to be at particularly high-risk from the virus must be specially protected. This includes the expectation that employers will enable particularly vulnerable persons to carry out their work from home. If the vulnerable person can only work onsite, employers must ensure that they can comply with the recommended hygiene and conduct rules (e.g. wash hands, keep distance). If neither of these is possible, the employer provides leave of abscence to the particularly vulnerable person and continues to pay their wage.
The following recommendations also apply:
inform employees about personal and workplace-related protective measures. This includes washing hands regularly, keeping distance and wearing hygiene masks if distance cannot be maintained. The workplace must adapt these measures to meet the ordinance and the associated recommendations.
enable employees to avoid travelling by public transport during rush hours.
make the working hours of employees as flexible as possible and enable home working.
For more information about the above-mentioned guidelines visit the following websites: https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20200744/index.html https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-die-arbeitswelt.html#-960795708
4. Which governmental authority issued these guidelines, and are they voluntary or mandatory?
The guidelines are issued by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). Whether or not the requirements are mandatory or voluntary depends on the risks and can vary depending on the activities of the company.
5. Do these mitigation measures have any consequence, such as, if a person does not abide by these measures must they pay a fine or go to jail?
Anyone who deliberately resists measures under Article 6 (of Ordinance on Measures to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) shall be punished with imprisonment for up to three years or a fine. Article 6 of the Ordinance retains the ban on public and private events, the requirements for the opening of establishments accessible to the public and the development of protection measures where necessary.
6. Has your country adopted any laws or regulations related to COVID-19?
Yes, the federal authorities have issued an Ordinance (Ordinance on Measures to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SR 818.101.24 related to the guidelines listed above. Details about these laws can be found at: https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20200744/index.html
The data presented here is not a complete analysis of all COVID-19 information; however, our in-country Partner will provide updates as and when considered appropriate and as relevant data becomes available. If you have any additional questions, or request for country information, please email us at COVID-19@cc-global.com with additional inquiries.
