Switzerland will ease COVID-19 restrictions, including an obligation to work from home and quarantine for those who have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
The new rules unveiled by Interior Minister Alain Berset, whose portfolio includes health care, will take effect Thursday (Feb. 3). The government said it will consider lifting all rules later this month, including showing COVID-19 passes in restaurants and wearing masks on public transport.
The quarantine for people who come into contact with those who have tested positive was previously reduced to 5 days from 10 days and will now be eliminated. The requirement to work from home if possible will be turned into a recommendation.
Swiss officials said they will now consider easing other restrictions, including mandatory COVID-19 passes for restaurants as well rules on large gatherings. Those could be lifted February 17, they said.