Switzerland eases COVID-19 restrictions despite high infection rate

Despite its record high new COVID-19 infection figures, Switzerland on Thursday lifted the requirements to work from home and to quarantine after contact with an infected person, reported Xinhua.

The Swiss government has also proposed to further ease other pandemic-related restrictions later, but the final decision is expected to be made on Feb. 16.

The Swiss Federal Council said in a statement that the decision was made because hospitals in the country have not been overburdened and the occupancy of intensive care units has fallen further.

"This is probably due to the high level of immunity among the population thanks to vaccination and recovery from COVID-19," the government statement said.

"In addition, Omicron is causing fewer cases of severe illness than previous virus variants. There are increasing signs that the acute crisis will soon be over, and the endemic phase could begin," it added.

However, the Swiss Federal Council stressed that "there is still a need to remain cautious," and that it is important to continue to follow the rules on hygiene and social distancing, observe the relevant precautionary measures -- and, if possible, to get vaccinated.

Switzerland is currently undergoing another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of new daily coronavirus infections reaching unprecedented highs due to the Omicron variant.

According to the authorities, 36,740 new cases were reported on Thursday for the previous 24-hour period. To date, more than 12,200 people have died from COVID-19 in Switzerland, which has a population of 8.6 million.