Responsibility for ordering protective measures lies with the cantons. So whether such measures are needed and if so which may vary from canton to canton.
What should you do if you develop cold symptoms?
If you develop the symptoms of a cold, try to avoid contact with others – particularly people at especially high risk – and stay at home as much as you can. If this is not possible, wear a facemask when you are with other people, and keep your distance from them. The coronavirus and other pathogens such as the flu virus or the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are all transmitted in similar ways, and can prompt similar symptoms.
This also means that if you are at especially high risk, you should contact your doctor or another medical specialist if you develop any cold symptoms, so that if you have contracted COVID-19, appropriate treatment can be swiftly considered. If you go to work, please also discuss your work activities with your employer, along with any protection measures and/or medical certificate that may be required.
Persons aged 65 or older: The risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19 after coronavirus infection increases with age. Any pre-existing (underlying) conditions increase this risk further.
Persons aged 16 or over with trisomy 21
Persons aged 16 or over with certain forms of the following chronic diseases:
o High blood pressure
o Cardiovascular disease
o Diabetes
o Pulmonary or respiratory diseases
o Conditions or therapies that weaken the immune system
o Cancer
o Obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2)
o Chronic kidney disease
o Liver cirrhosis
If you are unsure whether you are at especially high risk, please consult your doctor.
You’ll find more details on the symptoms of COVID-19 on the COVID-19 page.
Do you want to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, flu and colds? By taking the following actions – individually or in combination – you can reduce the risk of an infection with these viruses and also protect others. Which of these actions make the most sense will depend greatly on where you may be (e.g. on public transport or at work). The risk of getting infected with the coronavirus or catching flu or a cold is greatest in crowded indoor locations. So in such surroundings, a combination of wearing a facemask and regular ventilation (if possible) may be the best approach.
Get vaccinated
An autumn/winter COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for persons at especially high risk. Such vaccination can help protect you from developing a severe case of COVID-19. You’ll find more information on this on the Vaccination page.
You can continue to wear a facemask if you wish. As the coronavirus is transmitted via droplets and aerosols, facemasks can protect you and others from infection. And if you develop symptoms of possible infection, wearing a facemask can be particularly useful in helping to ensure that you do not pass any viruses on.
A surgical mask can be particularly useful in protecting others from infection through droplets, provided it is worn correctly. It will also offer the wearer some protection from droplets coming from other persons in the immediate vicinity.
Surgical masks are adequate for use in day-to-day situations. Filtering face piece masks provide extra protection for people who need it or in situations where there is a greater risk of virus transmission (such as enclosed and poorly ventilated spaces).
Please note that a filtering face piece mask will only offer such additional protection provided it is of the right size and shape for your face and fits closely and snugly at all times.
The risk of infection is increased when you are in close contact with other people. This is because when they sneeze or cough, and even when they just speak or breathe more heavily, people release more droplets and aerosols into their immediate vicinity. So by keeping your distance from others, you can reduce your risk of infection.
Ventilating reduces the concentrations of coronaviruses, other pathogens and other contaminants in indoor spaces and thus the risk of transmission. So any indoor areas where several people congregate should be regularly well ventilated. Temperature permitting, it is also a good idea to leave windows open for extended periods.
Indoor locations where several people congregate (such as offices or common areas) should, if possible, be ventilated twice an hour for at least five minutes each time. When doing so, always fully open the windows and ensure that there is a draught (impact ventilation).
Ventilating with a CO2 measuring device: ventilate if the CO2 level increases to over 1,000 ppm, and at 1,400 ppm at the latest. Ventilate for a sufficient length of time, too – ideally until the CO2 level has fallen again to below 500 ppm.
If you have a ventilation or air conditioning system: operate your system on a high ventilation rate (maximum level of air changes per hour/ACH) and on the lowest possible air recirculation rate.
Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm
Viruses can be spread by blowing your nose, sneezing, spitting or coughing. So if you have to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue whenever you can. Use a paper tissue for this, use it only once and then dispose of it immediately. If you don’t have a tissue, you should cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm. Then wash or sanitise your hands.
Wash your hands regularly or disinfect them with an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. This will also help you protect yourself and others from infection by any of a range of further pathogens (such as the flu virus) which can trigger a cold or a cough.
You should wash your hands whenever you
come home
have touched objects or surfaces that have also been touched frequently by other people
have blown your nose, coughed or sneezed
are about to prepare food or eat.
Please note: The temperature of the water you use to wash your hands has no influence on reducing the number of viruses on the skin. So the water can be cold or lukewarm. What is more important is how and for how long you wash your hands: you should thoroughly soap all areas of your hands (including thumbs, spaces between fingers, backs of hands and fingertips) for at least 30 seconds.
