Sunday referendum: The Swiss vote on the country’s pandemic policy

On Sunday, Swiss voters will vote on the country’s pandemic policy, including the requirement for corona certificates.

This is the second time in four months that the country is holding a referendum on pandemic policy. This time it happens while the infection is rapidly on the rise, and the authorities warn of the fifth wave of infection.

In June, the referendum was held after the government was criticized for giving itself too broad powers at the expense of citizens’ individual rights.

At that time, more than 60% of voters supported the law, which gave the government broad powers to implement infection control measures.

Skepticism about corona passports

This time critics want to block a modification of the law that would give the government the right to introduce requirements for corona certificates for everyone who participates in public events and gatherings.

Under the law, corona certificates are issued to the fully vaccinated, those who have recovered from coronavirus, and those who test negative for corona.

The law that will be voted on has also made it possible for the authorities to allocate billions of Swiss francs to workers and companies affected by the pandemic.

Support from abroad

Opinion polls suggest that a solid majority will vote in favor of the bill, but in recent weeks opponents have raised large sums of money and also received foreign support for their campaign.

From mid-October to mid-November, the average number of daily infection cases has increased fivefold – it is now at over 5,200 per day, according to the NTB. 

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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