Immigration authorities accused of ‘discriminatory’ practice regarding naturalisation reference letters; health experts recommend ‘voluntary’ mask wearing this winter; and more Swiss news in our roundup on Tuesday.
MP accuses immigration authorities of discrimination during the naturalisation process
Deputy Céline Widmer has asked the Federal Council to intervene in the case of a letter the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has sent to a candidate for naturalisation.
As required, the candidate in question has submitted, together with her application, reference letters from Swiss citizens who know her, testifying to her integration in Switzerland.
However, as the references were written by naturalised citizens with foreign names, SEM sent the letter to the applicant asking that she submit only those written by people who are “Swiss by descent.”
Widmer said this is a clear case of discrimination.
“This implies that not all Swiss are equal before the law,” she said, pointing out that SEM is making a distinction between citizens born in the country and those who were not.
READ ALSO: What is the reference letter you might need for Swiss citizenship?
Health experts recommend masks this autumn
Infectious disease specialists in Switzerland are expecting a strong Covid and flu season this year, with evidence from abroad suggesting that both influenza and coronaviruses could circulate earlier and more strongly this year than usual.
Therefore health experts from the ETH Zurich are advising ‘voluntary’ mask wearing in indoor venues and on public transport – a measure that should especially be practiced by people at risk of complications from both diseases.
READ ALSO: How can you get Covid vaccines in Switzerland in autumn 2025?
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Zurich students will begin classes later in the morning
Various studies have shown that high school students learn less efficiently in early lessons.
Based on this evidence, the Zurich municipal council has approved a parliamentary initiative that prohibits lessons in the secondary schools from starting before 8 am (some now start as early as 7:30 am).
However, students will not be able to sleep in just yet: schools have four years to implement the new timetable, because postponing the start of lessons by 30 minutes entails numerous organisational changes.
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These mountain passes are now closed to traffic due to snowfall
With October school holidays already underway in some cantons, and starting soon in others, travel may be restricted for those planning to cross Switzerland’s Alpine passes.
Four are now closed to traffic for the winter: the Furka Pass (2,429 metres), the Grimsel Pass (2,164), the Nufenen Pass (2,478), and the Susten Pass (2,234).
Though the Ächerli Pass (1,457 metres) and the Pragel Pass (1,558) are open, detours may be necessary, depending on whether conditions.
The Gotthard Pass remains open.
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