Temporary CLOSURE COVID-19

The Council of State has taken note of the extension until April 22 of the federal measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus adopted in December. Restaurants, cultural establishments, sports and leisure facilities will remain closed for another four weeks . The number of contaminations is stagnating at a very high level and the risk of a rapid resurgence is real with the new, much more contagious variants of the virus. Thus, other measures will be reinforced, in particular with the closure of stores that do not sell everyday consumer goods. On the economic level, the Council of State takes note of the measures adopted by the Federal Council aimed at mitigating the consequences of the crisis linked to COVID-19. In particular, the Confederation took into account the request of the canton of Valais to review the criteria to be considered as hardship cases. However, other measures are still awaited by the State of Valais.

The Federal Council decided today to extend the national measures to combat COVID-19 until the end of February. The Council of State has taken note of this extension, which concerns in particular the closure of restaurants, cultural establishments and sports and leisure facilities.

The epidemiological situation remains tense and the appearance of new strains of the highly contagious virus increases the risk of a resurgence in the number of cases. This is why the Federal Council has also decided to strengthen several measures. From Monday 18 January 2021:

• Stores and markets outside will be closed to the public (only on-site withdrawal of ordered goods is authorized), with the exception in particular of:

  • grocery stores and other stores, insofar as they sell foodstuffs or other essential and everyday consumer goods;

  • pharmacies, drugstores and stores that sell medical aids (eg glasses, hearing aids);

  • telecommunications operator outlets;

  • repair and maintenance shops, such as laundries, sewing shops, shoe repair shops, locksmith services as well as car garages and bicycle shops, insofar as they offer a repair service;

  • do-it-yourself and gardening stores as well as hardware stores, for do-it-yourself and gardening items;

  • flower shops;

  • service stations;

• private events and gatherings will be limited to 5 people;

• teleworking will become compulsory provided that the nature of their activity allows it and that this is possible without disproportionate effort;

• the protection of vulnerable people in the workplace will be reinforced with specific measures.

Shops and establishments accessible to the public which offer services, such as post offices, banks, travel agencies and hairdressers, including the corresponding services offered on a self-service basis, must close according to their authorized hours, but no later than late at 7 p.m., as well as on Sundays.

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