Switzerland to ease Covid measures

Bern, June 24 (IANS) The Swiss government has announced that several Covid-19 measures will be relaxed and “simplified significantly” starting from Saturday, and rules for foreign travellers entering the Alpine country will be eased.”There are few measures left, but it is fundamental that they are followed properly,” Xinhua news agency quoted Alain Berset, head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, as saying at a press conference on Wednesday.Starting from Saturday, people will not be required to wear face masks outdoors, the government statement said, including on railway platforms, at bus stops and in shopping halls.Telecommuting will be a “recommendation” and is not mandatory anymore. The requirement for masks in the workplace is also lifted, giving companies the choice to ask their employees to wear them.Many public places such as shops and sporting facilities can welcome customers at full capacity. Events will now be able to accommodate 10,000 people seated, with Covid certificates. Events without a Covid certificate, if the public are seated, up to 1,000 people may attend — indoors or outdoors.Furthermore, the government eased entry to Switzerland, including from countries outside of the EU. Travellers will not have to go into quarantine or provide PCR tests if they do not come from a region where variants are “widespread”.Meanwhile, the Swiss Covid Certificate is in the process to be authenticated in the EU, the Federal Office of Public Health announced on Wednesday.Half of Swiss adults are expected to be fully vaccinated by the end of June, according to the Federal Council. –IANSksk/