Health Alert – COVID-19 Information for Switzerland and Liechtenstein (April 9, 2020)

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Subject: Health Alert – COVID-19 Information for Switzerland and Liechtenstein (April 09, 2020)
Location:  Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Event: Daily update for U.S. citizens regarding COVID-19 in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive health and security updates and to ensure the State Department can locate you in an emergency.

Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s COVID-19 information page and local news.

New Information: 

The Swiss authorities have extended the State of Emergency until April 26, 2020 and remind residents not to travel over Easter weekend.

Swiss authorities recommend the following new sources of information:

Factsheets in a range of languages: 
www.bag-coronavirus.ch/downloads
Videos about Coronavirus in Switzerland: https://www.youtube.com/user/bagofspufsp/videos
FOPH [Federal Office of Public Health] website: www.foph.admin.ch/new-coronavirus  (German, French, Italian, English)

In the event of an Emergency dial 112 for immediate assistance (this general emergency number can be used in all emergency situations).

Country-Specific Information:

Swiss authorities are now categorizing the condition in Switzerland as an ‘extraordinary situation’ under the Swiss Epidemics Act

The number of cases is increasing rapidly. The entire population is affected and is urgently called upon to stay at home.

Number of COVID-19 cases in Switzerland and Liechtenstein (as of April 9, 2020, 8:00 a.m.)
Confirmed Cases: 23,574
Confirmed Deaths: 756
Source: Federal Office of Public Health

Stay at home!
Only leave the home if absolutely necessary. That means:
If you have to purchase groceries.
If you have to go to the doctor or the pharmacy.
If you have to help someone.
If you are unable to work from home and you have to go to work.

Flights to the U.S.:

Flights to the United States from Switzerland

International commercial flight options currently exist in Switzerland.  U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights in Switzerland and Liechtenstein at this time.

Direct flights: There is only one remaining direct flight from Switzerland to the United States in operation, the Zurich to Newark route operated by Swiss International Air Lines. This flight is currently scheduled 3 times a week, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, however this may change it any time and without prior notice.  The flight can be booked directly through Swiss or most travel arrangers.
Transit flights: Many countries have closed their national borders. Travelers flying to the U.S. by transiting through a third country should work directly with the airline to confirm that they are allowed to transit.
The Department of State does not endorse any private company and assumes no responsibility or liability for services provided by private companies.

Local Resources: Federal Office of Public Health (English)
Federal Office of Public Health (German – most frequently updated)
Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Bern, Switzerland

031 357 70 11 (dialing within Switzerland)
+41 31 357 70 11 (dialing from overseas)
BernACS@state.gov

State Department – Bureau of Consular Affairs 
+1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada)
+1-202-501-4444 (from other countries)

Swiss Federal Office of Public Health Hotline
+41 58 463 00 00 (staffed 24 hours in German, French, Italian and English)

Switzerland Country Specific Information

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