COVID-19: Emergency Measures And Their Limits

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has led the authorities – after initially rather cautious reactions – to take various measures at an unprecedented rate, particularly at the federal level, but also in the cantons. These measures involve major interventions affecting the population and companies. This briefing provides an overview of existing and possible future measures to combat the pandemic in Switzerland, their legal ramifications as well as legal options for those affected to defend themselves against the measures imposed or to demand compensation for the loss or damage they have suffered.

Existing Measures

At the Federal Level

On 25 February 2020, the new coronavirus SarsCcV-2 was first detected in Switzerland in a person from the Canton of Ticino. At its extraordinary meeting of 28 February 2020, the Federal Council classified what was happening in Switzerland as a so-called special situation in accordance with art. 6 of the Epidemics Act (EpG). This