Switzerland – France – After the French government’s decision to close the national borders for all non-EU countries, the effects on Switzerland were unclear on Friday evening. According to a spokesman, the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs was initially in the dark.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the French authorities to clarify the effects on border traffic between Switzerland and France, said a spokesman for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on Friday evening at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency. He couldn’t give any further information. Tens of thousands of cross-border commuters travel between Switzerland and France every day.
In view of the rapid spread of new coronavirus variants, France had announced that it would tighten the protective measures adopted because of the pandemic. For non-EU countries, an entry and exit ban will apply from Sunday – except in urgent cases – Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Friday evening in Paris. Exceptions should only be made if there is good reason. In addition, shops that are not necessary for daily needs would have to close above a certain size.
Stronger surveillance
Cultural and sports facilities, restaurants and cafes are currently closed in France. Schools and shops, on the other hand, can open until 6 p.m. Now, stores larger than 20,000 square meters are to close completely from Sunday, Castex said. In addition, compliance with the curfew, which will apply from 6 p.m., should be monitored more closely and the “illegal” opening of restaurants should be prevented.
France has seen increasing numbers of infections again since the turn of the year. Most recently, more than 20,000 new coronavirus infections were recorded daily; the pressure on hospitals is also growing. Virologists are warning of the rapid spread of the more contagious British variant of coronavirus.
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