Swiss look set to approve Covid restrictions as infections rise

Swiss voters are casting ballots on a ‘Covid-19 law’ that has unlocked billions of Swiss francs in aid for workers and businesses hit by the pandemic (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone/AP)

Swiss voters appeared set to approve by a clear margin legislation that would introduce a special Covid-19 certificate allowing only people who have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative attend public events and gatherings.

A projection by the gfs.bern polling agency for public broadcaster SRF after voting ended on Sunday showed the measure, which is already in place, winning the backing of 63% of those who turned out. The referendum offered a relatively rare bellwether of public opinion specifically on the issue of government policy on fighting the coronavirus in Europe, currently the global epicentre of the pandemic.