New Covid rules from today

The new Covid rules announced on Friday come into force today.

The Federal Council is acting as the country faces an Omicron wave.

For any indoor events where masks can be worn, the requirement will be at least the 2G rules – which means proof of vaccination or recovered will have to be shown. A negative test alone will not be sufficient. 

If masks can’t be worn, such as nightclubs, swimming pools, intensive sports and – importantly, brass band concerts – then the rules are 2G plus. That means being vaccinated within the last 4 months or having a negative test. 

The government is making a distinction between restaurants and bars. To sit down and have a meal, the rules are 2G. To go to a bar to have a drink, then the rules are 2G plus. 

From today, you should be working from home if possible. The government says this is a ‘requirement’ – not simply a recommendation. 
If working from home is not an option – then masks need to be worn of there is more than one person in the room. 

With Christmas coming up – there are also limits on private gatherings. If everyone is vaccinated, then there can be 30 meeting, but if only one of those is unvaccinated, then that limit drops to 10. 

What do the G rules surrounding Covid mean?

The short-cut terms are very common in German speaking countries. 

The G stands for geimpft, genesen, getested. That means vaccinated, recovered, tested. 

3G means who have to show you’re either vaccinated, or have recovered or have a negative test.

2G (geimpft, genesen) means a negative test is not acceptable. 

2G + (plus) means the vaccination has to have been within the last four months (boosters included) or a negative test is required. 

The 1G rule means only those vaccinated. Showing a recovered status or a negative test is not sufficient (not yet being implemented in Switzerland).