In growing signs of Europe rapidly making a return to normal life,
Switzerland has become the latest country in the bloc to drop Covid-19
restrictions after Denmark and the Scandinavian nations.
Switzerland has lifted nearly all its pandemic restrictions from
Thursday, 17 February as the Omicron wave has not translated into a peak
of hospitalisations.
"Switzerland is taking a decisive and important step towards
normality," said Swiss President Ignazio Cassis at a press conference in
Bern, reported Swissinfo.ch.
With the new policy, people in Switzerland no longer have to wear a
mask or show a Covid certificate to enter bars, restaurants and other
indoor venues such as sports facilities, theatres or concert halls.
Restrictions on the size of private gatherings in Switzerland will be
lifted, while authoritisation is no longer required for large events.
People are still required to wear masks on public transport and
healthcare institutions, although the Swiss government said these
measures could by removed by end-March if the virus situation in the
country improves.
Growing freedom in Europe
Switzerland joins a growing group of European nations to abolish
pandemic restrictions, following Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and
Sweden -- with the lattermost announcing that the pandemic is over.
Neighbouring Austria has also announced that all pandemic restrictions would be lifted on 5 March.
Meanwhile, Portugal is also on track to abolish most of its Covid restrictions in the coming weeks.
Germany, in comparison with its European peers, is taking a more
cautious approach by gradually lifting its pandemic restrictions in
three stages through to March 20.