Critics force vote to rein in the governmentâs Covid policy
The Covid law was approved by parliament last September and amended since. Keystone/Anthony Anex
The powers of the Swiss government to curtail public life due to the pandemic is on the agenda for a nationwide vote in June. A citizensâ group has brought a referendum against the so-called âCovid lawâ, approved by parliament and implemented last September.
This content was published on April 18, 2021 - 10:00
April 18, 2021 - 10:00
swissinfo.ch/urs
The campaign is driven by concerns over the current prominent role of the national executive in the countryâs federalist and direct democratic system, as well as scepticism about the governmentâs vaccination policy.
China likely to approve BioNTech s COVID-19 vaccine by July: WSJ
FILE PHOTO: Syringes are seen in front of a displayed Biontech logo in this illustration taken November 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration reuters tickers
This content was published on April 16, 2021 - 13:41
April 16, 2021 - 13:41
(Reuters) - China is planning to authorize the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Germany s BioNTech SE by July, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
If approved, it would become the first foreign COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized in the country.
Chinese officials are reviewing clinical-trial data for the vaccine and are expected to authorize it for domestic use within the next 10 weeks, the report said.
Restaurants to re-open despite high Covid infection rateÂ
Restaurant terraces will be able to reopen, with hygiene measures. Keystone/Jean-Christophe Bott
The Swiss government has decided to allow outdoor tables in restaurants and bars again as of next Monday, following a four-month temporary closure.Â
This content was published on April 14, 2021 - 17:56
April 14, 2021 - 17:56
swissinfo.ch/urs
As part of its anti-Covid strategy, cultural and sports events will be open to the public under certain conditions, a government statement said. The number of spectators will be limited to 100 outdoors and 50 indoors and strict hygiene rules must be observed.Â
Universities and further education institutions will be allowed to offer regular classes, and certain amateur sports activities are also to resume.
Government faces growing pressure to relax Covid measures
Bars and restaurants in Switzerland have been closed since Christmas and there are growing calls to allow outdoor dining. Keystone/Martial Trezzini
Pressure is building on the Swiss government to ease restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This content was published on April 12, 2021 - 12:05
April 12, 2021 - 12:05
swissinfo.ch/urs
The Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises on Monday called for a review of the current situation, saying the government was focusing too much on health while failing to consider the economic and financial impact of the restrictions.
The influential pressure group said the interests of public health and the economy had to be balanced, and that the hygiene and safety measures in place would allow an end to the current shutdown and a return to a “healthy economic and social life.”
India s daily virus cases breach 100,000; mutants, behaviour blamed
People walk or stand at a crowded beach amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Mumbai, India, April 4, 2021. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas reuters tickers
This content was published on April 5, 2021 - 08:22
April 5, 2021 - 08:22
By Neha Arora and Rama Venkat
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India reported a record rise in COVID-19 infections on Monday, becoming the second country after the United States to post more than 100,000 new cases in a day, as politicians stage massive election rallies raising fears of further spreading the virus.
Hospitals in the worst affected state, Maharashtra, are being overrun by patients. India s richest state, home to its commercial capital Mumbai and numerous industries, reported a record 57,074 new cases overnight.