The government of Switzerland announced on Wednesday, February 16, that it would lift almost all pandemic-related restrictions from midnight on Thursday, February 17.
It expressed its confidence that COVID-19 infection rates had been successfully uncoupled from hospitalisations.
Health-related measures for persons entering the country have been lifted. It will no longer be necessary to provide proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test or to complete an entry form.
Patrons of shops, theatres, concerts, restaurants, bars and other venues will no longer have to wear masks or show COVID passes. The government has said that health authorities will continue to provide COVID certificates recognised by the EU for Swiss residents who want to travel abroad.
Restrictions on the size of private gatherings have also ended, and the recommendation for employees to work from home has been lifted.
But the requirement for face mask wearing on public transport and in health-care facilities will remain in place until March 31.
Swiss President Ignazio Cassis said at a press conference in Bern: "The virus is there. We are learning how to live with the virus."
Switzerland joins a growing throng of European countries scrapping nearly all pandemic-related restrictions, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
More than 70 percent of the Swiss population has had at least one dose of the vaccine.
People who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 will still be required to isolate in order to prevent them from infecting others.
