As cases soar, Swiss resist lockdown ahead of vote
GENEVA — Like many others in Europe, Switzerland is facing a steep rise in coronavirus cases. But its federal government, unlike others, hasn’t responded with new restrictive measures. Analysts say it doesn’t want to stir up more opposition to its antiCOVID-19 policies, which face a crucial test at the ballot box this weekend as critics have grown increasingly loud.
Today, as part of the coun- try’s regular referendums, Swiss voters will cast ballots about the so-called “COVIDtown of Brentwood, while 19 law” that has unlocked bil- the other was in the central lions of Swiss francs (dollars) city of Nottingham. The two in aid for workers and busi- confirmed cases are self-iso- nesses hit by the pandemic. lating with their households The law has also imposed the while contact tracing and use of a special COVID cer- targeted testing takes place. tificate that lets only people
A number of pharmaceu- who have been vaccinated, tical firms, including Astrarecovered, or tested negZeneca, Moderna, Novavax ative attend public events and Pfizer, said they have and gatherings. plans in place to adapt If the Swiss give a their vaccines in light of thumbs-up, the government the emergence of omicron. may well ratchet up its anti- Pfizer and its partner BioN- COVID efforts.
Tech said they expect to be The vote offers a relatively able to tweak their vaccine rare bellwether of public in around 100 days. opinion specifically on the
Professor Andrew Polissue of government policy lard, the director of the to fight the coronavirus in
xford Vaccine Group, Europe, the global epicen- which developed the Astrater of the pandemic. The Zeneca vaccine, expressed continent enjoys relatively cautious optimism that high rates of vaccination existing vaccines could compared with countries in be effective at prevent- Africa, Asia and the Middle ing serious disease from East, but has been nearly the omicron variant, notalone in facing a surge in ing that most of the muta- cases in recent weeks. tions appear to be in simiPolls suggest a solid major- lar regions as those in other ity of Swiss will approve the variants. measure, which is already in
“At least from a specula- effect and the rejection of tive point of view we have which would end the restricsome optimism that the tions — as well as the payouts. vaccine should still work But in recent weeks, oppo- against a new variant for nents have raised heaps of serious disease, but really cash for their campaign and we need to wait several drawn support from abroad, weeks to have that con- including a visit from Amer- firmed,” he told BBC radio. ican anti-vaccination cam
Opaigner Robert F. Kennedy to provide their employers Jr. to a rally in the capital, with proof of vaccination, Bern, this month. recovery or a negative test
Swiss weekly NZZ am Sonset to take effect this week. ntag reported that campaignThe Swiss Federal Couners have sent hundreds of cil, the seven-member execpetitions to government utive branch, went out of its offices around the country way on Wednesday to say: alleging that the language in “It’s not the time to decree the referendum question is a tightening of measures vague and makes no men- nationwide,” while opttion of the “COVID certifi- ing for a region-by-region cate” that affords access to approach and calling on places like restaurants and citizens to act responsibly sporting events. through mask-wearing, phys
On Tuesday, Swiss health ical distancing, and proper authorities warned of a risairing of indoor areas. ing “fifth wave” in the rich That’s even though the Alpine country, where vaccouncil admitted in a statecination rates are roughly ment that cases — particuin line with those in hardlarly among the young — are hit Austria and Germany — rising and “the number of at about two-thirds of the daily infections has reached population. Infection rates a record for the year and the have soared in recent weeks. exponential rise is continuThe seven-day average case ing.” Hospitalizations — notacount in Switzerland shot up bly among the elderly — are risto more than 5,200 per day ing too, it said, but not as fast. from mid-October to mid-NoSwiss Health Minister Alain vember, a more than five-fold Berset has insisted his govincrease — with an upward ernment hasn’t tightened curve like those in neighborrestrictions because COVIDing Germany and Austria. 19 patients still make up only
Austria has responded a small percentage of peowith a much-ballyhooed ple in intensive-care units. lockdown, and Germany “But we also know that — which is forming a new the number of hospitalizagovernment as Chancellor tions lags behind the numAngela Merkel’s tenure nears ber of infections,” said Pascal its end — has taken some Sciarini, a political scientist steps like requiring workers at the University of Geneva.