Precautionary measures: requirements

The Federal Council simplified the requirements for precautionary measures from 22 June 2020 and standardised them for the various areas of society. In order to prevent the coronavirus from spreading again, it is still important to keep an appropriate distance, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, and to wear a mask and erect partitions where necessary.

All publicly accessible buildings and businesses, including primary and secondary schools and other educational establishments, still need to have precautionary measures in place. The same applies to public events. Private events and businesses not generally accessible to the public do not require precautionary measures.

The same requirements apply to all these sectors. The requirements are regulated by the «Ordinance of 19 June 2020 on Measures during the Special Situation to Combat the COVID-19 Epidemic» (Art. 4 and Annex; in German, French or Italian). There are no longer any model sets of precautionary measures. However, business sectors and associations may still refer to them as an aid. Businesses and event organisers are still required to produce and put in place a set of precautionary measures. Information on precautionary measures can also be found on the SECO website (in German, French or Italian).

In all situations: People showing symptoms of illness should stay at home and get tested.

The following requirements apply:

The precautionary measures should involve hygiene considerations (e.g. possibility of washing or disinfecting hands, regular cleaning of surfaces) and observing a distance of at least 1.5 metres. If this distance cannot be observed, there must be appropriate protective measures in place such as wearing a face mask or partitions. If this distance cannot be observed, or if protective measures cannot be respected, the business or event organiser must record the contact details of the persons present. This will ensure that, if someone tests positive for the coronavirus, all close contacts of this person can be traced. The business or event organiser must do the following: Record information on the persons present so that their contact data can be gathered and used if necessary

On request: pass the contact data onto the cantonal authorities

Preserve the contact data for 14 days before destroying it. A person must be named who is responsible for the implementation of the precautionary measures and who is the contact person for the cantonal authorities.

Detailed information on the requirements for precautionary measures, for gathering contact data and on the special measures for gatherings of more than 300 people can be found in the annex to the «Ordinance of 19 June 2020 on Measures during the Special Situation to Combat the COVID-19 Epidemic» (in German, French or Italian).

Businesses, institutions and schools themselves are primarily responsible for introducing these precautionary measures. Neither the federal government nor the cantons approve the sets of precautionary measures. The cantons are responsible for monitoring compliance and conducting sporadic controls.

The requirements with regard to precautionary measures may change depending on the given situation. Be sure to check regularly that your precautionary measures meet the latest requirements.

