A new visa waver program for the UK begins today for Swiss citizens; Zurich authorities decide to keep controversial statues on its territory; and more Swiss news in our Wednesday roundup.
Travel news: Visa waiver for travel to the UK goes into effect today
Anyone traveling to Great Britain will now have to dig deeper into their pockets: from April 2nd, 2025, travellers will need a digital ETA, which costs 10 pounds, the equivalent of 11.20 francs.
The ETA is already compulsory for non-EU citizens, but will also be required for anyone travelling on an EU or EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) passport.
It will be required for all types of travel, including tourism, short stays and family holidays. People in transit, connecting to other international flights, are excluded.
You can apply for this visa waver here.
READ ALSO: Do dual British-Swiss nationals need an ETA to travel to the UK?
Zurich rejects removal of ‘racist cultural assets’ from its territory
The Cantonal Council has spoken out against the removal from public spaces in Zurich of “racist cultural assets,” such as statues of prominent Swiss historical figures, Auguste Forel and Alfred Escher, who had expressed xenophobic views during their lifetimes.
The idea of banishing these statues was first raised by certain local politicians, who argued that people who enriched themselves through colonialism or spread racist ideologies should not be honoured with monuments in public spaces.
While stressing the importance of critical examination of cultural assets like statues and monuments, the council also stated that “an indiscriminate and widespread removal of potentially problematic cultural assets is unacceptable.”
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And speaking of racism…
A concerted push toward banning Nazi symbols in public spaces
A majority of parties, cantons, and civil associations in Switzerland are in favour of banning the use and distribution of Nazi symbols in public. The corresponding consultation on this law ended on Monday.
The Federal Council intends to ban not only the swastika, but also the Hitler salute, and numerical codes such as “18” and “88,” which could be read as “Adolf Hitler” or “Heil Hitler.”
The context should determine whether such symbols are punishable.
For instance, the Federal Council proposes exceptions to the ban for educational, artistic, scientific, and journalistic purposes.
READ ALSO: Switzerland eyes Nazi symbols ban after surge in anti-Semitism
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Positive feedback from Switzerland’s first cannabis test project
The “Weed Care” study, a pilot project for the controlled cannabis distribution, was launched Basel-City in 2023.
The outcome of the project has been positive, according to the canton’s Health Department.
For the first, none of the study participants reported that neither the number of days of consumption nor the amount of cannabis consumed has increased, despite legal availability.
Furthermore, the Health Department reported that “the study shows positive effects on the mental health of the participants.”
For the duration of the study, “addictive behaviour, as well as depressive and anxiety symptoms, have decreased.”
These findings, together with the results of other pilot projects currently underway in Switzerland, “will provide a sound basis for responsible cannabis policy,” the Health Department said.
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